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STATE  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 


FIRST  SERIES. 


Vol.  III. 


This  volume  was  compiled  and  edited  by  authority 
of  the  State  of  New  Jersey;  at  the  request  of  the 
New  Jersey  Historical  Society,  and  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  following  committee 

Nathaniel  Niles,  Ch’n, 
Marcus  L.  Ward, 

Joel  Parker, 

W.  A.  Whitehead. 


I 


D OCUMENTS 


RELATING  TO  THE 

COLONIAL  HISTORY 

OF  THE 

STATE  OF  NEW  JERSEY; 


EDITED  BY 

WILLIAM  A.  WHITEHEAD, 

Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  New  Jersey  Historical  Society;  Author  of 
East  Jersey  Under  the  Proprietary  Governments;  Contributions 
to  the  Early  History  of  Perth  Amboy  and  the  Surround- 
ing Country ; Editor  of  the  Papers  of  Lewis  Mor- 
ris, and  of  an  Analytical  Index  to  the 
Colonial  Documents  of  New 
Jersey,  etc.,  etc. 


VOLUME  III. 

ADMINISTRATIONS  OF  LORDS  CORNBURY  AND  LOVELACE, 
AND  OF  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR  INGOLDESBY. 


1703—17 09. 


NEWARK,  N.  J.  : 


DAILY  ADVERTISER  PRINTING  HOUSE. 

1881. 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 

CHESTNUT  HILL, 


s 


F\3\ 

^(0*3 


±75689 


PREFACE. 


The  first  two  volumes,  of  this  series  of  Documents, 
contained  those  connected  with  the  period  ante-dating 
the  surrender  of  the  government  to  the  Crown  in  1703, 
which  may  be  termed  the  Proprietary  Era.  In  this 
and  the  succeeding  volume,  will  be  found  the  docu- 
ments connected  with  the  Union  Era,  or  the  adminis- 
trations of  the  Governors  to  whose  charge  was  com 
mitted  both  the  provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jer- 
sey; and  the  succeeding  volumes  will  contain  those 
relating  to  the  Provincial  Era,  or  that  portion  of  the 
history  of  New  Jersey  covered  by  the  various  admin- 
istrations, from  that  of  Lewis  Morris,  in  1738,  to  that 
of  William  Franklin,  with  which  the  rule  of  England 
in  New  Jersey  closed. 


SOURCES 


WHENCE  THE  DOCUMENTS  IN  THIS  VOLUME  WERE  OBTAINED. 


Public  Record  Office,  London , England . 

Documents  relating  to  the  Colonial  History  of  the  State  of 
Hew  York. 

Smith's  History  of  Hew  Jersey. 

James  Alexander's  Papers , in  possession  of  Mrs.  John  Rath- 
er fur  d. 

Manuscripts  of  Hew  Jersey  Historical  Society. 


E K K A T A . 

Ln  Volume  II,  on  pages  XVIII  and  XIX  of  Table  of  Contents,  for 
1700,  read  1701. 


'/ 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

1703 —  Sept.  9. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— informing  them  of  his  having  entered  upon  his  du- 
ties as  Governor  of  New  Jersey 1 

“ Oct.  15. — Letter  from  Colonel  Quary  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 2 

“ Nov.  10. — Speech  of  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  General  Assembly 

of  New  Jersey, — and  answer  thereto 8 

“ Dec.  18. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

— about  New  Jersey  Assembly 12 

“ “ 20. — Communication  from  Col.  Robert  Quary  to  the 

Lords  of  Trade, — about  New  Jersey  affairs 13 

— . — Communication  from  Peter  Sonmans  to  the  Earl 

of  Nottingham — about  the  appointment  of  Jeremiah 

Basse  as  Secretary  of  New  Jersey 23 

“ — . — A True  Representation  of  the  case  of  Jeremiah 

Basse 26 

1704 —  Jan.  14. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 28 

“ “ — . — Objections  of  the  Proprietors  of  New  Jersey  to  Two 

of  the  Council 35 

“ Feb.  — . — Answers  to  the  foregoing  objections 39 

“ April  30. — Memorial  from  Mr.  Paul  Doeminique  and  other 

Proprietors  of  New  Jersey,  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— relating  to  New  Jersey  affairs 50 

“ May  30. — Letter  from  Colonel  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade 52 

“ June  14. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade 54 

“ “.  29. — Circular  Letter  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Gov- 

ernors of  Plantations, — relative  to  information  con- 
veyed through  French  vessels 69 


yin 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

1704 —  July  6. — An  order  of  Council  referring  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade  a Petition  from  Peter  Sonmans  and  William 

Dockwra,  about  the  title  to  Staten  Island 01 

“ “ 13. — Commissioners  for  New  York,  New  Jersey  and 

Connecticut 64 

“ Nov.  4. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 66 

“ “ 12. — Letter  from  Lieutenant  Governor  Ingoldesby,  to 

Lord  Cornbury . 67 

“ “ 15. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor Ingoldesby, — in  answer  to  the  foregoing 68 

1705 —  Feb.  19. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 

“ — . — Petitions  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  to  the 

Lords  of  Trade, — relating  to  Lord  Combury’s  pro- 
ceedings  _ 81 

“ April  — . — Memorial  of  Daniel  Cox,  Jr.,  William  Dockwra, 
and  Peter  Sonmans,  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  adverse 

to  the  Quakers. ..  82 

“ “ 17. — Petition  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  to  the 

Lords  of  Trade, — complaining  of  Lord  Combuiy’s 
proceedings,  and  asking  for  the  restoration  of  Lewis 

Morris  to  the  Council 85 

“ “ 20. — Additional  Instruction  to  Lord  Cornbury 96 

“ 20. — Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord  Cornbury.  99 

“ May  8. — Memorial  of  William  Dockwra,  Secretary  and 

Register  of  East  Jersey,  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, — pro- 
posing Peter  Sonmans  to  be  one  of  the  Council  of 

New  Jersey. r 101 

July  8. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs ...  103 

“ July  15. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  Mr.  Secretary 

Hedges, — about  New  Jersey 106 

“ Oct.  19. — Letter  from  Attorney  General  Northey  to  the  Lords 

of  Trade, — as  to  the  rights  of  the  Proprietors  of  New 

Jersey  to  Fines,  Escheats,  etc 108 

“ Nov.  10. — Lieutenant  Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade, — complaining  of  Lord  Cornbury’s  treatment  of 

him 109 

“ “ 22. — Lord  Cornbury  to  Mr.  Secretary  Hedges, — on  New 

Jersey  affairs. ..  112 

“ 21 . — Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Queen , — proposing  gentlemen 

for  the  Council  of  New  Jersey 115 

“ “ 14. — Observations  of  the  Lords  of  Trade — on  the  Mem- 

orial of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors,  complaining  of 
Lord  Combury’s  proceedings— 117 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


PAGE. 


1705 —  Nov.  27. — From  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, — rela- 

lative  to  his  new  instructions . 119 

1706 —  Feb.  — . — Circular  Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade, — relative 

to  the  appointment  of  John  Bridges  as  Surveyor 

General  of  Her  Majesty’s  Woods ..  122 

“ “ 4. — The  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord  Cornbury, — on  New 

Jersey  affairs 124 

“ Feb.  14. — Communication  from  the  Proprietors  of  East 
Jersey  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  —asking  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  Peter  Sonmans,  to  be  one  of  the  Council  of 

New  Jersey 129 

“ “ 14. — Answer  of  William  Sloper,  agent  of  Lord  Corn- 

bury to  sundry  complaints  of  the  West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietors   133 

“ April  5. — Letter  from  William  Popple,  Secretary  to  the  Lords 
of  Trade,  to  William  Sloper, — about  Lord  Cornbury’s 

salary. 144 

“ “ 11. — Order  in  Council,  revoking  Col.  Ingoldesby’s  Com- 

mission as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  York,  and  ap- 
pointing him  one  of  the  Council  of  New  Jersey..  ...  145 
“ “ 24. — Revocation  of  Richard  Ingoldesby’s  Commission  as 

Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  York.. 146 

May  1.— Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Governor  Corn- 
bury  148 

“ “ 16. — Letter  from  Governor  Cornbury  to  the  inhabitants 

of  Bergen, — asking  for  trees  to  construct  stockades..  149 
“ July  16  — Affidavit  of  George  Ingoldesbv, — relating  to  sundry 

proceedings  of  Lord  Cornbury 150 

“ Sept.  7. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  proceedings  in  New  Jersey 154 

“ Nov.  14. — Summons  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Council  of 

West  Jersey 158 

“ 18. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 159 

“ “ — . — Petition  from  Proprietors  and  Purchasers  of  West 

Jersey  to  Lord  Cornbury 164 

1707  April  9. — Speech  of  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Assembly  of  New 

Jersey 165 

“ May  3. — An  additional  instruction  to  Lord  Cornbury,  as  to 

the  administration  of  the  Government,  in  case  of 

his  death  or  absence 169 

5. — Petition  of  the  General  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to 
the  Queen, — relating  to  the  difficulties  attending 

Lord  Cornbury’s  Government 171 

“ “ 5. — 12.  Remonstrance  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey 


X 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 


against  certain  evils  to  which  the  Province  was  sub- 
jected and  the  answer  of  Lord  Cornbury  thereto 173 

1707 —  April  29. — Affidavits  and  depositions  in  support  of  the  fore- 

to  May  6.  going  remonstrance...  . 198 

“ May  30. — The  Answer  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  to  cer- 
tain questions  of  Lord  Cornbury. 220 

“ June  7. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— relating  to  the  affairs  of  New  Jersey 224 

“ “ 28. — Letter  from  Col.  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade, — about  New  Jersey  affairs 234 

“ July  30. — Address  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  New  Jer- 
sey to  the  Queen, — congratulating  her  on  the  success 

of  her  arms 239 

“ Oct.  23. — Communication  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the 
Earl  of  Sunderland,  with  a draft  of  an  instruction, 
relating  to  the  attendance  of  members  of  the  several 

Councils 241 

“ “ 24. — Address  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  Lord 

Cornbury, — replying  to  his  answer  to  their  remon- 
strance of  May  5 242 

“ Nov.  29. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— on  New  Jersey  affairs 267 

1708 —  Jan.  14. — Letter  from  Colonel  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade 271 

“ Feb.  9. — Letter  from  Lewis  Morris  to  the  Secretary  of  State, 

— transmitting  various  documents  explanatory  of  the 

difficulties  in  New  Jersey. 274 

“ “ 10. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— forwarding  an  address  from  the  Lieutenant  Governor 
and  Council  of  New  Jersey  to  the  Queen,  objecting  to 

the  Proceedings  of  the  Assembly 285 

“ “ — . — The  address  accompanying  the  foregoing  letter 286 

“ April  19. — Communication  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the 
Secretary  of  State,  with  draft  of  a Commission  to 

Lord  Lovelace  to  be  Governor  of  New  Jersey 298 

“ May  5-12. — Minutes  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey.. 291 

“ “ 12. — Nominations  for  the  Council  of  New  Jersey 299 

“ “ 19. — Objections  by  some  of  the  Proprietors  to  the  con- 

tinuance in  office  of  several  members  of  the  Council 

of  New  Jersey 300 

“ “ 26. — Letter  from  William  Penn  to  William  Popple, 

Secretary, — respecting  Messrs.  Revell  and  Leeds  of 

the  Council  of  New  Jersey.. 303 

“ “ 27. — Memorial  of  J ohn  Keble  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, — re- 


lating to  the  manufacture  of  pot-ashes  in  New  Jersey  304 


CONTEXTS. 


XI 


PAGE 


1708 — May  — . — Memorial  of  Peter  Sonmans  to  Governor  Cornbury, 
against  John  Harrison,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas 306 

“ “ 31. — Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade,  on  Lord 

Lovelace’s  instructions 309 

“ June  4-9. — Memorial  from  Joseph  Ormston, — against  continu- 
ance of  Peter  Sonmans  in  the  Council  of  New  Jersey,  310 
“ 27. — Instructions  to  Lord  Lovelace,  as  Governor  of  New 

Jersey .. - 316 

June  28. — Communication  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord 

Lovelace,  Governor  of  New  Jersey 323 


“ 29. — Letter  from  the  Earl  of  Sunderland  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade, — relating  to  the  desire  of  the  New  Jersey  Com- 
pany that  Mr.  Morris  may  be  of  the  Council  of  that 

province 328 

July  1. — Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Earl  of 

Sunderland,  in  answer  to  the  foregoing. _ 328 

“ 1. — Report  from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Customs  to 

the  Lord  Treasurer,  on  the  Memorial  of  John  Keble.  329 

— . — Complaint  of  John  Barclay,  at  the  non-recognition 

of  his  Commission  as  Receiver  General  of  Quit-rents.  331 
“ 1. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  emigration  from  New  York  into  New  Jersey  333 
“ 1. — Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 

— about  New  Jersey  affairs 334 

“ 1 — Nominations  for  the  Council  of  New  Jersey,  from 

Lord  Cornbury 340 

7. — Letter  from  William  Lowndes,  Secretary  of  the 


Commissioners  of  Customs,  to  Secretary  Popple,  of 
the  Lords  of  Trade, — relating  to  the  Petition  of  John 
Keble,  about  the  manufacture  of  Pot-ashes  in  New 

Jersey 341 

“ ‘‘  7. — Proposals  of  John  Keble  for  manufacturing  Pot- 
ashes in  New  Jersey 344 

“ “ 15. — Letter  from  Secretary  Popple  to  Secretary  Lowndes, 

in  answer  to  his  of  the  1st,  relating  to  the  petition  of 

John  Keble 347 

“ Aug.  18. — Order  of  Council  restoring  Lewis  Morris  to  the 

Council  of  New  Jersey 349 

“ Dec.  28. — Account  of  Her  Majesty’s  Revenues  and  Fines, 

from  December,  1704,  to  December,  1708 350 

1709 — Feb.  8. — Report  of  Mr.  P.  Fauconnier,  on  Papers  retained  by 

Lord  Cornbury 357 

“ Mar.  4. — Letter  from  Lord  Lovelace,  Governor  of  New 

Jersey,  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 359 


Xll 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

1709 — Mar.  ) — Documents  relating  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Coun- 


and  April.  > cil  and  Assembly  of  New  Jersey 360 

“ Mar.  — . — Address  of  Lewis  Morris  to  Governor  Lovelace, 

with  a Poetical  addenda. 380 

“ “ 31. — Address  from  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  the 

Queen, — referring  to  the  Address  of  the  Council,  com- 
plaining of  the  Assembly 385 

“ April  2. — Memorial  from  Peter  Fauconnier,  Collector  and 

Receiver  General  of  New  Jersey,  to  Lord  Cornbury, 

— recommending  the  adjustment  of  the  line  between 

New  York  and  New  Jersey 388 

‘ “ — . — Address  of  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Council  of 

New  Jersey  to  Lord  Lovelace, — relating  to  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Assembly 390 

“ April  14. — Communication  from  Peter  Sonmans  to  Lord 
to  June  14.  Lovelace — in  answer  to  an  address  from  the  Assembly 

of  New  Jersey,  with  accompanying  documents 416 

“ “ 16. — Letter  from  Lieutenant  Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the 

Lords  of  Trade, — about  New  Jersey  affairs 460 

“ “ 28. — Letter  from  Colonel  Nicholson  and  Colonel  Vetch, 

to  the  Lords  of  Trade, — about  the  course  of  the 

Quakers  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 464 

“ July  2. — Letter  from  Mr.  Thomas  Cockerill  to  Secretary 

Popple, — referring  to  the  death  of  Lord  Lovelace,  and 

preparations  for  a Canada  Expedition 466 

“ “ 5. — Letter  from  Lieutenant  Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the 

Lords  of  Trade, — relating  to  the  proceedings  of  the 

Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 467 

“ Sept.  2. — Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Queen, 

— referring  to  Richard  Ingoldesby’s  Commission,  as 

Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  York 469 

“ Oct.  — . — Representation  from  the  Lieutenant  Governor  ani 

Council  of  New  Jersey  to  the  Queen, — relating  to  the 

proceedings  of  the  Quakers  in  that  province ... 470 

“ “ 18. — Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Queen, 

— relative  to  an  act  passed  in  1704,  for  regulating  Ne- 
gro, Indian  and  Mulatto  slaves  in  New  Jersey, 473 

“ “ 20. — Revocation  of  the  Commission  of  Richard  Tngoldes- 

by,  as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  Jersey 474 

“ “ 31. — Memorial  from  William  Dockwra  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade, — with  several  papers  relating  to  the  public 

affairs  of  New  Jersey 475 

“ — . — Documents  referring  to  the  irregular  proceedings 

of  Lewis  Morris,  George  Willocks  and  others,  trans- 
mitted to  the  Lords  of  Trade  with  foregoing  letter 476 


CONTENTS. 


Xlll 


PAGE. 


1709 — Nov.  26. — Memorial  from  several  Proprietors  of  New  Jersey 
to  the  Lords  of  Trade, — asking  for  a change  in  the 

Council  of  the  Province 497 

“ Dec.  23. — Communication  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the 
Queen,— asking  for  the  restoration  of  Lewis  Morris  to 

the  Council  of  New  Jersey 499 

“ “ — . — Letter  from  Thomas  Gordon  to  the  Secretary  of 

State, — asking  for  a restoration  to  the  office  of  Chief 

Justice 500 

Index 503 


NEW  JERSEY 


COLONIAL  DOCUMENTS. 


Letter  from  Lord  Combury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
informing  them  of  his  having  entered  upon  his 
duties  as  Governor  of  New  Jersey . 

[FromP.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1 A.  1">.1 

Lre  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  ye  Board. 

New  York,  7ber  the  9th  1703. 

My  Lords 

Having  left  New  York  in  Order  to  goe  into  New 
Jersey  on  the  10th  of  August,  I arrived  at  Amboy  on 
the  ii,  and  that  day  published  my  Commissions  for 
the  Government  of  that  Province,  having  been  met  by 
severall  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  and  some  of 
the  Proprietors,  the  next  day  I proceeded  to  Burling- 
ton, where  I arrived  on  the  13th  afternoon,  it  being 
between  fifty  and  sixty  miles  from  Perth  Amboy,  I 
immediately  published  my  Commission  there,  and 
would  have  had  a Council  that  night,  but  some  of  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  were  ill  with  riding,  it  being 
a very  hot  day,  but  the  next  morning  I called  a Coun- 
cill where  there  appeared  ten  of  the  thirteen,  of  which 
the  Councill  was  to  be  composed,  in  pursuance  of  her 
Majesty’s  Instructions  to  me;  M1  Hunlock,  and  m1 
Leonard,  being  dead  before  I received  her  Majesty’s 
Commission,  and  Instructions,  for  that  Government, 
and  mr  Andrew  Bowne  was  not  able  .to  travell  soe  f arr, 
after  I had  taken  the  oaths  and  subscribed  the  Test, 


2 LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1703 

and  abiuration,  I administered  the  same  to  as  many  of 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  as  were  willing  to  take 
them,  that  is  Mr  Morris,  Mr  Revell,  Mr  Pinhorne,  M' 
Walker,  Mr  Leeds,  Mr  Sandford,  and  Collonell  Quary, 
but  Mr  Jennings,  Mr  Davenport,  and  Mr  Deacon  being 
Quakers  said  they  could  not  take  an  oath,  and  claimed 
the  benefit  of  the  Act  of  Parliament  passed  in  the  7th 
& 8th  of  King  William,  this  begot  some  debate  among 
the  other  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  one  of  them  say- 
ing that  he  was  of  opinion  that  the  Act  above  men- 
tioned was  not  intended  by  the  Parliament  of  England 
to  ease  Quakers  any  further  then  only  in  Cases  where 
they  were  to  be  witnessed  in  Courts  of  Judicature, 
where  their  declaration  was  to  be  sufficient  but  he  said 
he  did  not  believe  it  was  ever  intended,  they  should  be 
by  that  Act  intituled  to  hold  any  imployment  in  Gov- 
ernment, he  farther  said  that  the  Act  by  which  the 
abiuration  oath  was  enacted  had  noe  exception  in  it, 
and  that  that  Act  having  been  passed  long  after  the 
Act  by  which  the  Quakers  were  eased,  and  noe  excep- 
tion for  them  in  it,  he  thought  they  ought  to  take  that 
oath,  the  Quakers  insisted  not  only  upon  the  Act  of 
the  7th  & 8th  of  the  late  King,  but  likewise  said,  that 
they  knew  I had  instructions  to  admit  them  into  any 
Offices  or  employments  which  they  should  be  found 
capable  of,  (by  this  I found  that  the  Information  I had 
formerly  had  was  true  that  is,  that  m1  Morris  had 
brought  a copy  [of]  my  Instructions  with  him  into  the 
Province  when  he  came  from  England, ) I looked  into 
my  Instructions  and  found  that  in  the  49th  paragraph 
I am  commanded  to  adminster,  or  cause  to  be  admin- 
istred  the  Oaths  therein  mentioned  to  the  members, 
and  Officers,  of  Councill,  and  Assembly,  and  to  all 
Judges  Justices,  and  all  other  persons  that  hold  any 
Office  or  place  of  trust  or  profit  in  the  said  Province, 
and  without  which  I am  not  to  admit  any  person 
whatsoever  into  any  publick  Office;  this  I thought  was 
very  plain  against  the  Quakers,  but  they  desiring  me 


1703]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  3 

to  look  further,  I found  in  the  52d  [53d?]  paragraph 
these  words  {And  whereas  we  have  been  farther  in- 
formed that  in  the  first  settlement  of  the  Government  of 
our  said  Province  it  may  soe  happen  that  the  number 
of  Inhabitants  fully  qualified  to  serve  in  Our  Councill, 
in  the  Generali  Assembly , and  in  other  places  of  trust 
or  profit  there , will  be  but  small;  It  is  therefore  Our 
Will  and  Pleasure  that  such  of  the  said  people  called 
Quakers  as  shall  be  found  capable  of  any  of  these 
places  or  Employments,  and  accordingly  be  elected  or 
apointed  to  serve  therein,  may  upon  their  taking  and 
signing  the  Declaration  of  their  Allegiance  to  us  in  the 
form  used  by  the  same  people  here  in  England,  together 
with  a solemn  Declaration  for  the  true  discharge  of 
their  respective  trusts,  be  admitted  by  you  into  any  of 
the  said  places  or  Employments .]  whereupon  I told  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  that  I thought  it  very  plain 
by  that  paragraph  in  my  Instructions,  that  it  was  the 
Queen’s  pleasure  they  should  be  admitted  to  sit  and 
Vote  in  Conncill  signing  the  Declaration  required 
which  they  did,  and  were  admitted,  they  likewise 
signed  the  abiuration  in  a roll  by  themselves  only 
altering  the  word  (swear)  to  the  word  (declare,)  thus 
that  matter  stands  now,  but  I intreat  your  Lordships 
directions  what  I must  doe  for  the  future;  I must 
needs  say,  that  whoever  it  is  that  has  informed  her 
Majest}^  and  your  Lordships,  that  the  number  of  In- 
habitants fit  to  serve  the  Queen,  would  be  but  small, 
without  admitting  the  Quakers,  either  did  not  know 
the  Country,  or  else  were  not  willing  to  own  the  truth 
they  did  know,  for  it  will  appear  by  the  accounts  I 
hope  to  send  your  Lordships  shortly  of  the  number  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  that  Province,  that  the  Quakers  are 
much  less  in  number,  than  those  that  are  not  Quakers, 
however  that  they  might  not  say,  or  think,  that  I had 
any  prejudice  to  them  as  Quakers,  I have  put  severall 
of  them  into  the  Commission  of  the  peace,  if  they 
approve  themselves  good  subiects  to  the  Queen,  I have 


4 


LORI)  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


1703 


noe  more  to  require  of  them,  I hear  since  I came  from 
theme  that  they  doe  not  like  the  setting  the  Militia, 
which  I have  begun  and  hope  to  perfect  in  a short 
time,  I mean  the  Quakers  who  would  have  noe  Militia 
at  all,  but  the  rest  of  the  people  are  very  well  pleased 
that  they  are  like  to  be  put  into  a condition  to  defend 
themselves,  which  they  have  not  been  yet;  At  Bur- 
lington the  first  thing  we  proceeded  upon,  was  to  settle 
some  Courts,  and  in  order  to  it,  I asked  the  Gentlemen 
of  the  Councill  what  Courts  they  had  had  under  their 
Proprietary  Government,  they  said  that  their  Courts 
were  never  very  regularly  setled,  but  such  as  they  were, 
it  was  under  this  Regulation,  first  they  had  a Court  for 
determining  all  Causes  under  forty  shillings,  and  that 
was  by  any  one  Justice,  and  if  either  of  the  partys  did 
not  like  the  Judgment  of  that  Justice,  he  was  at 
liberty  to  have  a tryall  by  a Jury,  paying  the  charges 
of  the  first  suit,  which  I think  was  to  render  the  bene- 
fitt  intended  by  the  settling  those  Courts  ineffectual; 
the  next  Court  they  had  was  a quarterly  Court,  where 
the  Justices  of  the  Peace  determined  all  Causes  under 
ten  pounds,  then  they  had  a Court  which  they  called 
the  Court  of  Common  Right,  where  all  Causes  both 
Criminall  and  Civill  were  heard  and  determined,  and 
to  this  Court  there  lay  an  appeal  from  the  quarterly 
Courts,  this  Court  of  comon  Right  consisted  of  the 
Governor  and  Councill,  and  if  any  man  thought  him- 
self aggrieved  by  the  sentence  of  the  Court  of  corn’on 
Right  then  he  might  appeal  to  the  Gouvernor  in  Coun- 
cill, which  was  appealing  from,  to,  the  same  persons, 
this  being  the  account  they  gave  me,  1 told  them  I 
thought  a Court  for  determining  all  Causes  under  forty 
shillings  might  be  very  usefull,  but  I thought  it  ought 
not  to  be  in  the  power  of  one  Justice  of  peace  alone, 
but  rather  three  and  that  the  Judgment  ought  to  be 
definitive,  this  they  approved  of  and  soe  it  is  setled  till 
the  Assembly  meets,  when  I will  use  my  best  en- 
deavours to  prevail  with  them  to  settle  it  by  an  Act, 


LORD  CORXBURY*S  ADVIXLSTRATIOX. 


1703 J 


then  I told  them  I thought  the  Courts  which  sate 
quarterly  in  the  Province  of  New  York  were  more 
regular  then  theirs,  for  there  the  quarterly  Courts  are 
held  hi  each  County  by  a Judge  of  the  Comon  pleas 
and  four  Justices  assistants,  whereof  three  make  a 
Quorum  and  the  Judge  of  the  Common  Pleas  or  the 
first  Assistant  Justice  always  to  be  one,  this  they  like- 
wise approved  of,  and  those  Courts  are  soe  settled  by 
an  Ordinance  of  the  Gouvernor  and  Councill.  till  your 
Lordships  shall  be  pleased  to  direct  otherwise;  I have 
appointed  Sheriffs  and  Justices  of  the  Peace  through- 
out the  whole  Province;  and  as  I desired  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Councill  to  give  me  the  names  of  such 
persons  as  they  thought  proper,  to  he  put  into  the 
Commissions  of  the  peace,  and  Militia,  soe  I 
indavoured  to  choose  out  such  among  them,  as  by  the 
best  information  I could  get,  were  the  most  likely  men 
to  join  with  me  in  endeavouring  to  reconcile  the  differ- 
ences that  have  caused  so  much  disorder  in  that 
Province,  and  which  I am  afraid  will  not  be  presently 
brought  to  passe,  however  I doe  assure  your  Lordships 
nothing  shall  be  wanting  in  my  endeavours  to  perfect 
that  work,  I have  already  recommended  that  matter 
to  the  Councill,  and  shall  likewise  doe  soe  to  the  Gen- 
erali Assembly  as  soon  as  they  meet,  which  will  be  the 
6th  day  of  9ber  at  Perth  Amboy;  I must  acquaint  you 
that  when  first  I acquainted  the  Councill  that  the 
Queen  had  by  her  Instructions  commanded  me  to  call 
a General  Assembly  with  all  convenient  speed,  they 
were  extreamly  pleased  with  it,  but  there  arose  some 
debate  about  the  method  of  Isuing  the  Writts,  because 
some  of  them  said  the  Writts  ought  to  Isue  under  the 
great  seale  of  the  Province,  and  there  being  noe  great 
seale  yet  come,  that  could  not  be,  some  were  of  opinion 
the  Proprietors  seale  of  West  Jersey  should  be  made 
use  of,  others  were  for  that  of  East  Jersey,  at  last  it 
was  resolved  that  I should  Issue  the  Writts  for  this 
time  under  my  own  seale,  reciting  the  Power  the 


6 LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1703 

Queen  has  been  pleased  to  grant  to  me  under  the  great 
seale  of  England  for  the  Government  of  the  Province, 
and  for  the  calling  and  holding  of  Assemblys,  this  was 
the  only  expedient  could  be  thought  of  to  have  an 
Assembly,  which  they  were  not  willing  to  stay  for  till 
the  seale  should  come,  I hope  I have  not  done  amisse 
in  this  matter,  it  was  not  of  my  own  head  alone  I did 
it,  and  it  was  intended  for  the  service  of  the  Queen  and 
Conntry.  I have  quite  setled  the  Militia  of  the  West- 
ern Division,  and  I have  begun  to  settle  that  of  the 
Eastern  Division  likewise;  thus  1 have  given  your 
Lordshipps  a faithful  account  of  the  present  condition 
of  Nova  Caesarea,  or  New  Jersey,  only  I must  add  that 
there  is  noe  fortification  in  all  the  Province,  noe  stores 
nor  ammunition  nor  noe  publick  store  house,  nor  soe 
much  as  a house  for  a Governor  to  reside  in ; I hope 
the  Assembly  will  provide  for  that;  as  soon  as  any- 
thing occurs  relating  to  that  Province  I will  acquaint 
your  Lordshipps  with  it,  in  the  meantime  I entreat 
you  to  believe  that  I will  at  all  times  observe  all  such 
orders  and  directions  as  you  shall  think  fit  to  send,  I am 

Just  as  I was  going  to  My  Lords 
seale  up  this  letter,  I am  Your  Lordshipps 
informed  the  people  in  New  most  faithfull  humble 
Jersey  are  much  disturbed  servant 
at  the  limitation  prescribed 
in  the  qualifications  of  per- 
sons fit  to  choose  and  be 
chosen  for  the  Assembly, 
and  indeed  it  will  happen 
that  some  very  good  men 
will  not  be  chosen  because 
they  have  not  1000  acres  of 
land  though  perhaps  they  have  six  times  that  vallue 
in  money; 

Lds  of  Trade  &?. 


1703] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


7 


Letter  from  Col.  Quary  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  about 
New  Jersey  affairs. 

LFrom  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  Plantations  General,  Vol.  7,  old  5,  new  F.  37.] 

Letter  from  Col:  Quarry  to  the  Board;  Reed  the 
9 Decembr  1703. 

Right  HonbP 

(Extracts  relating  to  New  Jersey.) 

I am  obliged  to  hasten  away  from  hence  much 
sooner  than  I would,  purposely  to  attend  my  Lord 
Cornbury  at  Amboy  in  East  Jersey,  where  ye  first 
Assembly  for  yl  Governm1  meets  about  ye  latter  end  of 
this  month:  I will  be  just  to  y.e  promise  I made  his 
Excellcy  being  very  sensible  yt  his  Lordsp  is  but  very 
indifferently  yoked  wtb  a Council  for  yl  Governm*  I 
purpose  to  return  hither  again  early  in  ye  Spring,  and 
then  shall  have  an  opportunity  of  writing  to  your 
Lordsps  by  y.e  fleet;  which  is  all  yl  I will  presume  to 
say  further  to  your  Lordsps  at  present,  but  beg  leave 
to  subscribe  myself  what  I will  ever  study  to  be. 

Right  Honb?e 

Yo;  Lordsps  most  faithfull  & obed*  serv* 
Rob/’  Quary  1 


I do  most  humbly  beg  your  Lordsps  favour  in 

recomending  me  to  y.e  Honb.le  y?  Comissr.s  of  herMajties 

Customs,  and  to  y?  R*  Honb1.6  the  Lord  High  Treasur" 
y-  I may  succeed  Mr  Randolph  as  Survey1.'  Gen1.1  of 

North  America,  the  duty  of  which  place  I have  dis- 

charged ever  since  I returned  last  to  America,  by  virtue 

of  a power  from  y.e  Honble  y.e  Commiss1'8  ?tho  I have  not 


For  notice  of  Colonel  Quary  see  Vol.  II.,  p.  280.— Ed. 


8 LOUD  COUNIUMY'S  A DM  I NiSTRATION.  [1703 

had  y®  sallery  belonging  to  it,  which  will  be  a comfort- 
able subsistence,  and  enable  me  y f better  to  discharge 
y.e  duty  of  your  Lordsps  Comissary  in  all  these  Ameri- 
can Govermts  which  I will  always  endeavour  to  do 
with  all  ye  faithfullness  imaginable. 

I have  here  sent  your  Lordsps  y.®  minutes  of  her 
Majesties  Council  for  y.e  Jerseys. 

Virgf  Octobr  y?  15th  1703. 

Right  Honb!e 

Yor  Lords’ps  most  obed*  humble  servant 
Rob1:  Quary. 

I humbly  request  jl  your  Lords’ps  will  please  to 
order  me  a supply  of  Paper  Pens  Ink  Avax  &.c  I am 
often  distrest  for  want  of  them  in  these  parts. 


Speech  of  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Genercd  Assembly  of 
New  Jersey , November  10,  1703. 

| As  printed  in  Smith's  History  of  New  Jersey,  p.  277.] 

Gentlemen 

The  proprietors  of  East  and  West  New- Jersey,  having 
upon  very  mature  consideration,  thought  fit  to  sur- 
render to  her  most  sacred  majesty  the  great  queen  of 
England,  my  mistress,  all  the  powers  of  government 
which  they  supposed  were  vested  in  them;  the  queen 
has  been  pleased  to  unite  these  formerly  two  provinces 
now  into  one,  under  the  name  of  Nova-Csesaria  or  New 
Jersey;  her  majesty  has  been  pleased  graciously  to 
honour  me  with  the  trust  of  this  government,  and  has 
commanded  me  to  assure  you  of  her  protection  upon 


LORD  CORNBFRY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


9 


1703] 


all  occasions;  and  you  may  assure  yourselves,  that 
under  her  auspicious  reign,  you  will  enjoy  all  the 
liberty,  happiness  and  satisfaction,  that  good  subjects 
can  wish  for;  under  a most  gracious  queen,  and  the 
best  laws  in  the  universe,  I mean  the  laws  of  England, 
which  all  the  world  would  be  glad  to  partake  of,  and 
none  are  so  happy  to  enjoy,  but  those  whose  propitious 
stars  have  placed  under  the  most  happily  constituted 
monarchy:  I will  not  question,  but  that  you  on  your 

parts,  will  do  all  that  can  he  expected  from  faithful 
subjects,  both  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  queen,  the 
good  and  safety  of  your  country;  which  must  be 
attended  with  general  satisfaction  to  all  people. 

In  order  to  attain  these  good  ends,  I must  earnestly 
recommend  it  both  to  you,  gentlemen  of  her  majesty’s 
council,  and  you  gentlemen  of  the  assembly,  to  apply 
yourselves  heartily  and  seriously  to  the  reconciling  the 
unhappy  differences  which  have  happened  in  this 
province;  that  as  the  queen  has  united  the  two 
provinces,  so  the  minds  of  all  the  people  may  be  firmly 
united  in  the  service  of  the  queen,  and  good  of  the 
country;  which  are  all  one,  and  cannot  be  separated 
without  danger  of  destroying  both. 

Gentlemen,  you  are  now  met  in  general  assembly, 
on  purpose  to  prepare  such  bills  to  be  passed  into  laws, 
to  be  transmitted  into  England  for  her  majesty’s 
approbation,  as  may  best  conduce  to  the  settling  of 
this  province  upon  a lasting  foundation  of  happiness 
and  quiet,  only  I must  recommend  it  to  yon,  that  the 
bills  you  shall  think  fit  to  offer,  may  not  be  repugnant 
to  the  laws  of  England,  hut  as  much  as  may  be, 
agreeable  to  them. 

I must  recommend  to  you,  gentlemen,  in  the  word- 
ing of  your  Bills,  to  observe  the  stile  of  enacting  by  the 
governor,  council  and  assembly,  and  likewise,  that 
each  different  matter  may  be  enacted  by  a different 
law,  to  avoid  confusion. 


10 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1703 


In  all  laws  whereby  you  shall  think  fit  to  grant 
money,  or  to  impose  any  fines  or  penalties,  express 
mention  may  be  made,  that  the  same  is  granted  or 
reserved  unto  her  majesty,  her  heirs  or  successors,  for 
the  publick  use  of  this  province,  and  the  support  of 
the  government  thereof. 

Gentlemen,  I am  farther  commanded  by  the  queen, 
to  recommend  it  to  you,  to  raise  and  settle  a revenue 
for  defraying  the  necessary  charges  of  the  government 
of  this  province,  in  order  to  support  the  dignity  of  it. 

I am  likewise  commanded  to  recommend  to  your 
care,  the  preparing  one  or  more  bill  or  bills  whereby 
the  right  and  property  of  the  general  proprietors  to 
the  soil  of  this  province  may  be  confirmed  to  them, 
according  to  their  respective  titles,  together  with  all 
quit  rents  and  all  other  privileges  as  are  expressed  in 
the  conveyances  made  by  the  duke  of  York;  except 
only  the  right  of  government,  which  remains  in  the 
queen. 

Now,  Gentlemen,  I have  acquainted  you  with  some 
of  those  things  which  the  queen  is  desirous  to  have 
done:  I shall  likewise  acquaint  you,  that  her  majesty 
has  been  graciously  pleased  to  grant  to  all  her  subjects 
in  this  province,  (except  papists)  liberty  of  conscience. 
I must  further  inform  you,  that  the  queen  has  com- 
manded me  not  to  receive  any  present  from  the  general 
assembly  of  this  province;  and  that  no  person  who 
may  succeed  me  in  this  government,  may  claim  any 
present  for  the  future,  I am  commanded  to  take  care, 
that  her  majesty’s  orders  may  be  entered  at  large  in 
the  council  books,  and  the  books  of  the  general 
assembly. 

Now,  gentlemen,  I have  no  more  to  offer  to  you  at 
this  time,  only  I recommend  to  you  dispatch  in  the 
matter  before  you,  and  unanimity  in  your  consulta. 
tions,  as  that  which  will  always  best  and  most  effectu- 
ally conduce  to  the  good  of  the  whole. 


1703] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


11 


The  Governor’s  speech  being  read  in  the 
house,  produced  the  following  address:  N.  C.  D. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

I am  commanded  by  this  house,  to  return  your 
excellency  our  hearty  thanks  for  your  excellency’s 
many  kind  expressions  to  them,  contained  in  your 
excellency’s  speech;  and  it  is  our  great  satisfaction, 
that  her  majesty  has  been  pleased  to  constitute  your 
excellency  our  governor. 

We  are  well  assured  the  proprietors,  by  their  surren- 
der of  their  rights  to  the  government  of  this  province, 
have  put  us  in  circumstances  much  better  than  we 
were  in  under  their  administration,  they  not  being 
able  to  protect  us  from  the  villainies  of  wicked  men; 
and  having  an  entire  dependance  on  her  majesty,  that 
she  will  protect  us  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  our  rights, 
liberties  and  properties,  do  thank  your  excellency  for 
that  assurance  you  are  pleased  to  give  us  of  it,  and 
think  our  stars  have  been  very  propitious  in  placing 
us  under  the  government  and  direction  of  the  greatest 
of  queens,  and  the  best  of  laws:  And  we  do  entreat 
your  excellency  to  believe,  that  our  best  endeavours 
shall  not  be  wanting  to  accomplish  those  things  which 
shall  be  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  queen,  the  general 
good  of  our  country,  and  (if  possible)  to  the  universal 
satisfaction  of  all  people:  With  our  prayers  to  the 
God  of  Heaven,  we  shall  join  our  utmost  endeavours, 
to  unite  our  unhappy  differences:  and  hope  with  the 
assistance  of  your  excellency  and  council  it  will  not  be 
impossible  to  accomplish  that  blessed  work.  We  shall 
follow  the  directions  given  in  your  excellency’s  speech, 
with  w’hat  dispatch  the  nature  of  the  things  require; 
and  hope,  that  all  our  consultations  my  conduce  to 
the  best  and  greatest  ends. 


12 


LORD  CORN  BURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1703 


Memorandum,  that  all  the  members  of  this  house 
do  agree  to  the  subject  matter  above  written,  tho’ 
several  of  them  dissent  from  some  of  the  expressions 
therein  contained. 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts..  Vol.  4,  p.  1075.] 

To  the  Eight  Honble  the  Lord8  Commiss1*8  for 
Trade  and  Plantations 


My  Lords: 

Being  just  returned  from  New  Jersey  and  finding  a 
letter  here  from  Captn  Herne  (which  ought  to  have 
come  to  me  a fortnight  agoe)  to  acquaint  me  that  he 
shall  sail  in  ten  days,  I take  the  liberty  to  trouble  your 
Lordpps  with  these  few  lines  to  acquaint  you  that  the 
Assembly  of  New  Jersey  have  sat  four  weeks  and 
some  days,1  they  had  prepared  some  Bills  but  the  sea- 
son has  been  so  seA^ere  that  I was  forced  to  adjourn 
them  till  May  next,  at  which  time  I shall  meet  them 
at  Burlington,  I hope  they  will  then  prepare  such  Bills 
as  will  be  agreeable  to  Her  Majty’s  commands  in  my 
instructions  which  I shall  endeavour  punctually  to 
observe  : if  this  ship  stays  any  little  time  longer,  I 
shall  send  your  Lordpps  an  account  of  all  our  proceed- 
ings in  New  Jersey  which  is  now  preparing. 


I am,  My  Lords,  &c. 
New  Yorke  December  18th  1703 


Cornbury 


For  an  account  of  this  session,  see  Smith’s  New  Jersey,  pp.  276-281.— Ed. 


L&RD  corxjjuky's  administration  . 


13 


1703] 


Communication  from  Colonel  Robert  Quart j to  the 
Lords  of  Trade , about  New  Jersey  affairs . 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1 A 17.) 

Abstract  of  a Lre  from  Col°  Quary  to  the 
Board,  Dated  at  Amboy  in  East  Jersey,  the 
20th  DecemV  1703.  [Rec’d  Is-  May  1704] 

A.  He  sent  his  last  from  Virga  by  Her  Matys  ship 
Guernsey,  and  refers  to  the  same  for  the  State  of  the 
Sevl1  Govm.t8  on  the  Maine— He  has  been  with  the 
Lord  Cornbury  ever  since  the  8th  Nov!'  last.  B.  The 
Scotch  in  the  Eastern  Division  by  means  of  the  Scotch 
Gov!'  carry  things  there  with  a high  hand,  and  irritate 
the  People  ag8t  them.  C.  A Scotchman  made  High 

Sherrif He  has  made  a false  return  in  favor  of  that 

party.  D.  The  Western  Division  is  Chiefly  in  the 
Hands  of  Quakers  since  Colon  ell  Hamilton  joined  wth 

them. The  Quakers  insinuate  that  unless  they  are 

Chosen  the  Assembly  will  burthen  them  with  tithes 
Taxes  &*:  E.  The  Countys  Petitions  atT  the  false  re- 
turns made they  were  refused  to  be  heard. 

F.  This  Treatment  had  like  to  set  the  Country  in  a 

Flame the  managin'  of  this  matter  committed  to 

him He  proposes  to  them  the  method  of  accomo- 
dation. G.  The  Gov1  Permits  them  to  sit. They 

begin  with  a Bill  very  hurtfull  in  all  the  parts  of  it,  as 

Injuring  the  Queens  Right  to  Land, also  depriving 

more  than  500  Inhabitants  of  their  Rights  ; The 

Majr  part  of  the  Assembly  are  proprietors The 

Gov1  layes  the  Bill  aside.  H . The  Assembly  Tack  it 

to  a Bill  for  enforcing  an  old  money  Bill The  Gov1: 

rejects  it.  LA  Great  many  men  besides  Proprietors 
get  Estates  by  Stock  Jobbing  Land  there he  de- 


14  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1703 

sires  this  Board  to  Inquire  into  the  Abuse.  K . The 

Assembly  have  raised  nothing  for  the  Queen They 

intended  1400£  for  the  defraying  old  Debts  due  to  ym  in 

CoT  Hamilton’s  time There  has  been  no  bill  past 

but  an  Act  to  hinder  the  purchasing  Land  from  the 

Indians  wthout  the  Gov™?1  Licence. The  Assembly 

adjourned  till  May  Next.  L.  He  says  my  Lord  Corn- 
bury  will  send  the  several  Bills  this  Conveyance. 


RTT  HonbV* 

A My  last  was  from  Virginia  by  her  Majlf  Ship  the 
Guernsey  wherein  I gave  Your  Lordship  a true  state 
of  that  Province  wtb  the  severall  other  Governing  on 
the  Main  to  which  I refer,  I was  obliged  to  hasten 
from  thence  in  order  to  attend  on  my  Lord  Cornbury 
att  the  setting  of  the  Assembly  in  Amboy  the  81?  of 
9b.er  where  I have  continued  ever  since1 

Before  I proceed  to  give  Y.r  Lordship  an  Aec°  of 
what  was  done  this  Sessions,  give  me  leave  to  lay 
before  Yr  Lfship  ye  prsent  Interest  of  that  Province. 

B The  Eastern  Division  hath  been  a long  time  in 
the  hands  of  a very  few  Scotch,  the  head  of  wc.h  party 
is  now  Coll:  Morris,  the  whole  Number  of  them  are 
not  at  most  above  Twenty  & yett  they  have  always 
by  the  Advantage  of  a Scotch  Governour  carryed  it 
with  a high  hand  ag-  the  rest  of  the  Inhabitants — 
tho  more  then  a thousand  in  Number,  and  ye  greatest 
part  of  them  Menn*  of  Substance  and  Sence:  The 
hardships  they  have  received  from  this  small  number 
of  Scotch,  have  so  prejudiced  the  whole  Country  ag1 
them,  that  it  is  Impossible  to  reconcile  it,  (It  must  be 
a work  of  time)  This  great  prejudice  hath  been  now 
againe  improv’d  on  the  Occasion  of  the  last  Election  of 
Members  to  serve  in  the  Present  Assembly. 


1 For  the  names  of  the  members  of  this  Assembly,  see  Proceedings  N.  J.  Hist. 
Soc.,  Vol  V.,  p.  24. — Ed. 


1703 J lord  cornbury’s  administration.  15 

There  appeared  in  ye  Field  on  the  Scotch  Interest 
but  42  persons  (and  a great  part  of  them  came  from 
New  York  and  long  Island)  who  were  Qualifyed  to 
Vote  Whereas  on  behalf e of  the  Country  there  ap- 
pear’d betwixt  three  & four  hundred  men  qualifyed  & 
had  they  thought  necessary  could  have  brought  severall 
Hundred  more. 

C.  Butt  notwithstanding  this  vast  Odds,  Yett  the 
Scotch  having  by  a false  representation  to  his  Excel- 
lency prevailed  w*?1  him  to  appoint  one  of  their  number 
to  be  made  high  Sheriffe1 

He  did  contrary  to  all  Law,  Keason,  Justice  or  Pres- 
ident retfirne  the  choice  of  the  42  Ellct1'.8  ag*  the  choice 
of  more  then  three  hundred  men. 

I will  not  entertaine  Yr  Lordship  with  the  particulars 
of  the  carrying  on  this  most  unjust  Election 

First  by  delay  of  time,  they  thought  to  tyre  out 
the  Country  by  detaining  them  so  long  in  a place 
where  there  was  not  any  Accom’odation  for  such  Num- 
ber of  People  at  that  time  of  the  yeare  severall  hun- 
dreds of  Substantiall  housekeepers  being  forc’d  to  lye 
out  of  doors  in  that  bitter  weather,  when  that  would 
not  doe,  he  multiply’d  Tricks,  upon  Tricks,  till  at  last 
barefac’d  he  made  y!  returne  contrary  to  the  choice  of 
the  Country. 

D.  The  State  of  the  Western  Division  hath  all- 
ways been  betwixt  the  Quakers  and  others,  tho  the 
Quakers  are  the  farr  less  in  number  yett  they  have 
allways  had  the  GovernnY.  in  their  hands  especially 
since  Coll  Hamilton  joynVl  intirely  with  them.  Their 
greatest  number  is  in  Burlington  County,  but  in  the 
other  three  Countys  of  that  Division,  they  are  but  very 
Inconsiderable  however  by  their  usuall  application  & 
diligence  with  the  Advantage  of  her  Maj4?8  Instructions 


1 Thomas  Gordon  of  Perth  Amboy.  See  Whitehead’s  History  of  Perth  Amboy 

and  Surrounding  Country,  p.  64.— Ed. 


16  LORD  CORNBURV'S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1703 

for  ye  choice  of  ten  Members  to  be  chosen  in  each 
Division,  Whereas  had  the  Election  been  in  each 
County,  they  could  not  have  cany-d  it  but  in  Burling- 
ton County  only  they  had  Influenc’d  abundance  of 
the  Inhabitants,  insinuating  that  unless  they  chose 
Quakers  that  Tythes,  the  Militia,  & great  Taxes, 
would  be  established  by  the  Assembly. 

This  had  the  Effect  they  expected  & the  quakers 
were  chosen  (most  of  them  Proprietors). 

E When  these  two  partys  mett  in  Assembly  having 
concerted  all  matters  before  hand,  they  soon  lett  the 
World  know  what  they  aim'd  att ; the  first  week  was 
taken  up  in  Petitions  ab1  the  false  returns,  of  w*?  the 
house  of  Assembly  was  sole  Judge  at  last  a day  was 
appointed  to  heare  the  County  by  their  Councill,  But 
they  were  obliged  to  produce  but  20  witnesses  at  the 
time  fixed  they  did  appeare,  But  were  then  told  that 
they  had  heard  severall  witnesses  upon  acc°  & behalfe 
of  Mr  Gourdon  < the  high  Sheriffe  i & were  fully  satis- 
fyed  that  he  had  done  his  Duty.  & therefore  was 
resolv'd  they  would  not  heare  any  Witnesses  ag-  him 
But  were  satisfyed  w1!1  y*!  Returne  of  Members.  wc.h  he 
had  made.  & so  did  discharge  the  Country  & their 
Councill  wV’out  giving  them  a hearing 

F This  treatnT  had  like  to  sett  the  Country  in  an 
Uproar  had  not  they  been  in  hopes  of  Relief e from  Ins 
Excellency’s  Justice.  The  Improving  and  managin'.  of 
wch  was  by  my  Ld  Committed  to  mee  having  gained  a 
very  great  Esteeme  from  them  by  my  appeareing 
warmly  on  their  behalfe. 

I hinted  to  them,  that  the  most  EffectuaU  way  of 
prevailing  with  my  Ld  to  lay  these  Quakers  & Scotch 
aside:  must  be  by  good  Assurance  to  be  given  that  in 
case  a new  Election  should  be  made  that  they  should 
make  such  a choice  as  should  Effectually  answer  all 
the  ends  of  GovernnT  (w*h  the}"  promised  to  doe)  And 
that  they  would  give  double  y*  Value  that  this  Assem  - 


1703] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


17 


bly  did  give  & settle  it  as  a Revenue  for  support  of 
Governm* 

I desired  them  to  make  choice  of  one  or  two  Men  in 
each  Township  & Impower  them  to  discource  me  upon 
the  matter  & oblidge  themselves  to  stand  by  what 
they  should  promise  on  their  behalfe  which  accordingly 
they  did. 

I gave  my  Ld  an  Acc°  from  time  to  time  of  every 
Stepp  I tooke  & did  nothing  without  his  approbation. 

G However  my  L<1  having  so  good  an  Opportunity 
of  trying  both  parties,  was  resolved  to  see  what  the 
prsent  Assembly  would  doe,  and  like  a prudent  Gov- 
ern^ encouraged  their  going  on  to  Buisiness  Very  well 
knowing  that  he  had  it  always  in  his  Power  to  lay 
them  aside  when  ever  he  found  that  they  did  not 
answer  the  End  of  Governm1  wc.h  was  expected  from 
them. 

The  first  thing  they  did,  or  rather  was  done  to  their 
hands  was  a Bill  Entitled  An  Act  for  secureing  the 
Rights  & Titles  of  y!  Propriet"  and  also  for  secureing 
ye  rights  and  titles  of  the  people. 

I may  truly  say  that  there  was  never  more  Villany 
& Injustice  couched  in  any  one  Bill  then  was  in  this. 

For  in  the  First  place  to  shew  that  they  would  be 
no  Respectours  of  Persons  they  were  pleased  to  begin 
with  her  Majb’  and  did  by  Asserting  the  bounds  of  the 
province  take  from  her  a great  part  of  the  province  of 
New-Yorke  no  less  than  all  Stratton  Island  this  they 
give  & confirm  to  the  Proprietors  & their  Heirs  for 
ever  Notwithstanding  the  Queen  hath  been  in  Actuall 
possession  of  it  above  40  years  past  without  their  pre- 
tending & claiming  any  Title  to  it  at  all. 

The  Stepp  that  they  took  next  was  to  defraude  the 
Queen  of  the  reserved  Rent  in  the  first  Deed  from  the 
Crown  wc.h  is  20  Nobles  & all  the  Arrears  wc.h  is  above 
40  years  and  amounts  to  above  270£  Sterl  when  they  had 
done  this  Notwthstanding  the  Proprietors  had  resigned 
2 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


1 fi 


[1703 


up  the  Governm.*  Yett  the  Assembly  were  pleased  to 
take  from  her  Maj^  & give  to  themselves  all  Royalltys 
whf soever  under  wc.h  generall  Terme  are  concluded 
many  parts  of  Governm1  And  when  there  was  noe 
more  Injustice  they  could  doe  the  Queen  they  proceed 
then  to  take  from  more  than  500  Inhabitants  at  once 
Theire  just  Rights  that  they  have  been  possessed  of 
for  above  30  years  past.  This  is  done  by  taking  away 
from  the  Persons  severall  large  tracts  of  Land  wc.h  they 
held  by  pryor  grants  then  wh*  the  Proprietors  derive 
from  my  Ld  Berkley  and  Sr  George  Cartrett  For  before 
the  Duke  of  Yorke  conveyed  to  them  he  gave  a Power 
to  one  Coll.  Nicholls  to  settle  these  parts  which  ac- 
cordingly he  did  and  granted  severall  Tracts  of  Land, 
and  by  his  order  they  purchas’d  the  Indian  Rights  from 
them 

This  Title  this  Bill  destroys  att  once  wth  out  any 
regard  to  so  many  People  concerned  therein  by  sale 
transferring  mortgage,  Dowry,  and  otherwise  which 
hath  one  way  or  other  engaged  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  whole  Province,  and  should  this  Bill  pass  would 
ruin  & involve  them  all  in  Confusion;  Besides  they 
have  destroyed  even  their  own  Grant  to  severall,  And 
changed  their  Rent  and  Tenure. 

But  that  wc.h  seems  y?  most  Extravagant  in  these 
that  pretend  themselves  to  be  Proprietors  that  they 
should  goe  ab*  to  cheate  so  many  of  their  own  Brethren 
as  by  this  Bill  they  have  done. 

In  the  first  place  they  have  destroyed  y®  Joynt  Ten- 
ancy by  which  all  the  Proprietors  Joyntly  hold,  And 
have  destroyed  that  tenure  without  giving  their  Breth- 
ren leave  to  be  heard  for  themselves,  Then  they  take 
their  Property  from  them  & give  it  to  a few  of  them- 
selves, Who  have  pick’d  & Cull’d  all  y2  choice  & best 
of  the  Land  throout  the  whole  Province  all  which  by 
this  Act  they  take  care  to  Settle  & Secure  to  them- 
selves & their  heirs  for  ever  without  being  accountable 


1703]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  19 

any  ways  to  any  of  the  rest,  Who  to  this  day  have  not 
one  acre  run  out  for  them,  but  must  take  up  the 
Barren  Land  or  none  wc.h  is  not  worth  a Penny  whilst 
the  rest  have  from  20  to  50  or  60  Thousand  Acres  a 
piece  of  the  choicest  Sc  best  Land  worth  a vast  Sum’e 
of  money,  a few  of  the  topping  Proprietors  in 
England  are  taken  care  for  by  these  here,  Butt  the 
major  part  left  to  shift  for  themselves,  a Comment  on 
this  bill  would  fill  a Volume 

I will  therefore  not  trespass  further  on  Yr  Lordships 
but  will  referr  to  severall  other  Relations  wcb  will  be 
sent  on  this  subject,  only  am  Obliged  to  Remark  to  Yr 
Lord?  that  the  major  part  of  the  house  of  Assembly 
are  Proprietors  where  they  sitt  Sc  make  Acts  for  them- 
selves, to  which  they  are  Party s,  And  when  they  are 
past  that  house,  Then  the  Bills  are  sent  to  his  Excell?' 
and  Councill,  which  do  at  prsent  consist  of  above  one 
third  of  Proprietors. 

Pts  thought  very  hard  by  the  Country  that  these 
Gentlemen  should  thus  be  allowed  to  be  both  Judges 
& partys,  Sc  fill  up  the  Assembly  and  Councill  too. 

I have  often  heard  of  Acts  made  to  mend  Sc  strength’ll 
defective  Titles,  but  very  seldom  heard  of  Acts  made 
to  Ruin  Sc  destroy  mens  Titles. 

After  the  first  reading  of  this  Bill,  It  was  com’itted, 
Sc  took  up  three  Weeks  of  our  time,  for  the  more  wee 
considered  of  it,  the  more  Sc  greater  difficulty  still 
arose,  till  at  last  his  Excellency  saw  an  Absolute  neces- 
sity of  laying  it  aside. 

H.  The  Proprietors  in  the  Assembly  thought  to 
have  gained  their  point  by  tacking  the  money  Bill  to 
it,  they  would  not  part  wth  that  Bill  out  of  their  house 
till  they  could  see  the  Issue  of  their  beloved  Bill.  But 
att  last  up  it  came,  Attended  with  another  Bill  to  rein- 
force a mony  Bill  made  in  Coll  Hamilton’s  time,  wc.h 
sett  the  Countiy  together  by  the  Ears  Sc  in  Arms. 
There  was  about  six  or  seven  hundred  pounds  unpaid 


20  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1703 

of  this  old  Bill ; wc.h  they  had  now  againe  by  a new 
Act  reinforced.  The  consequence  of  wc.h  would  have 
been  to  put  the  Country  againe  in  Confusion,  the 
Reinforceing  this  Act  Past,  by  a GovernnT  that  was 
not  qualifyed  according  to  Law  would  be  construed  as 
a confirmation  of  what  was  done  contrary  to  Law',  but 
his  Excellency  knew'  better  things  then  to  give  them 
that  handle,  for  after  a great  Bustle  about  this  old  Bill 
new  Vampt  his  Excellency  found  an  easy  way  to  lay 
it  aside  w'thout  noise,  and  then  comes  on  the  Stage  the 
money  Bill  so  long  expected. 

Att  the  first  opening  of  ye  Assembly  My  Lord  ac- 
quainted them  with  her  Majesty’s  Instructions  about 
raiseing  a fund  by  way  of  Revenue  for  defrayeing  the 
necessary  charges  of  the  Governm*  Butt  when  wee 
came  to  examine  the  Nature  of  this  Bill  we  found  that 
they  had  only  taken  care  for  one  yeare  and  that  but 
very  indifferently  too. 

If  they  had  but  gott  their  own  Business  done  they 
did  not  care  whether  the  Country  did  Sink  or  Swim  for 
the  future.  Beside  it  was  the  most  unequal  Tax  that 
ever  was  lay’d  on  a Country. 

I For  May  it  please  Yor  Lordship  there  are  a great 
Number  of  Men  in  this  Province  besides  the  Propriet1'8 
that  have  gotten  great  Estates  by  Stock  Jobbing  Land, 
Whose  business  is  to  buy  all  the  good  Land  in  the 
province  & parcell  it  out  again  to  a vast  Advantage. 
These  men  improve  noe  land.  But  are  Masters  of  all 
the  money  in  the  Country.  These  contribute  nothing 
towards  the  support  of  Goverm1  But  all  that,  lyes  on 
the  Poore  Industrious  Farmers  or  Free  holder  of  a 
hundred  or  Fifty  Acres  of  improved  Land  (as  it’s  call’d ) 
whereas  perhaps  the  hearte  of  this  Land  is  worn  out 
& good  for  nothing  but  to  be  turn’d  out  for  pasture 
Yett  He  must  pay  for  his  Lands  & also  for  his  horse, 
Cow,  Sheep,  Servants  & wThat  other  Stock  he  hath 

When  these  great  Number  of  Rich  men  pay  nothing. 


1703]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  21 

tho  they  have  more  then  a hundred  times  the  Estate 
of  those  that  support  the  charge  of  Governm1  Severall 
of  these  men  have  from  ten  thousand  to  sixty  thousand 
Acres  a man  and  perhaps  more  then  20d  p.  Acre  ready 
money. 

This  Injustice  they  Shelter  under  an  Instruction 
Recommended  by  the  Propretors  to  her  Majesty  under 
a false  Gloss. 

I hope  Y-  Lordship  will  please  to  make  an  Enquiry 
into  this  Abuse  wch  you  will  find  confirmed  by  the 
whole  Country. 

K I am  obliged  to  turne  againe  to  the  mony  Bill  & 
observe  to  Yr  Lordship  that  tho  this  Assembly  of  Pro- 
priety could  not  afford  to  give  to  her  Majesty  one 
thousand  pounds  wch  is  not  much  more  than  600£  Sterl 
& that  but  for  one  Yeare  Yett  they  had  taken  care  to 
give  themselves  1400£  to  defray  their  own  charges  and 
reimburse  themselves,  old  Debts  due  in  Coll  Hamil- 
ton’s time  all  wc;h  was  to  come  into  these  very  men’s 
own  Purses  by  all  wch  Yr  Lordship  may  guess  what 
sort  of  men  his  Excellency  my  Lord  Cornbury  had  to 
deale  with,  I am  sure  he  knows  them  better  then  they 
know  themselves  & mannag’d  them  accordingly,  there 
hath  no  Act  past,  but  a short  Act  to  prevent  buying 
Lands  from  the  Indians  without  a Lycence  from  the 
GovernnP  the  allowing  of  which  is  of  very  ill  Conse- 
quence & therefore  cannot  be  too  much  discouraged, 
But  could  wish  that  the  Act  did  not  look  back  above 
twenty  years  about  wch  time  Laws  were  made  to  pre- 
vent that  Evill.  But  the  looking  back  from  the  very 
first,  will  I fear  have  an  ill  Effect,  however  that  single 
Act  will  I hope  have  a reveiw  of  the  next  sessions  My 
Ld  hath  thought  fitt  to  adjourn  the  Assembly  till  May 
next. 

I hope  that  Adjournm1  will  by  my  Lords  conduct  end 
in  dissolution  wch  will  be  the  most  effectuall  means  to 
settle  this  Province  on  a just  & sure  foundation  the 


22  LORD  corhbury’s  administration.  [1703 

People  will  thereby  enjoy  the  Benefit  of  her  MajT 
grace  & favour  in  a free  Election  wc."  will  Engage  them 
for  ever  in  her  Majlf  Interest  and  make  them  chear- 
fully  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  Governm*  & 
hazard  their  Lives  for  & in  Defence  of  her  MajT8  Right, 
Crown  & Dignity  especially  when  they  shall  find 
themselves  freed  by  his  Excellencys  good  Governm1 
over  them,  from  the  Tyranny  of  their  old  Taskmasters 
the  truth  of  wch  I am  very  well  assured  will  be  dem- 
onstrated in  a very  few  months. 

I should  not  soe  positively  assert  these  things  to  Yr. 
Lordship  had  I not  a sure  foundation  for  what  I say 
All  wc.h  I have  fully  Laid  before  his  Excellency  my  Ld 
Cornbury. 

I doe  most  humbly  begg  Yr  Lordship’s  favour  to  ob- 
serve one  thing  more  before  I conclude,  wc.h  is,  that 
these  very  Men  who  have  so  notoriously  shown  their 
dishonest  & unjust  principalis  in  this  their  Bill  of 
Property  ag-  the  Queen,  Their  fellow  Proprietors  & the 
whole  Country,  Yett  they  are  pleased  to  pretend  Con- 
science of  giving  her  Maj^  her  due  Titles  & therefore 
to  avoid  it  sent  up  the  mony  Bill  without  any  pream- 
ble att  all  to  it  from  the  Effects  of  such  men’s  con- 
sciences I Pray  god  preserve  the  Queen  her  Governm* 
and  all  good  men. 

L.  I have  not  yett  had  time  to  gett  the  Copy  of  the 
severall  Bills,  but  his  Excellency  promises  to  send  them 
to  Yr  Lordship  this  Opportunity  & the  Secretary  hath 
promised  mee  the  same  Your  Lordshipps  Pardon  for 
this  Trouble  is  the  most,  humble  Request  of 
Right  Honrb:le 

Yof  Lordship-  Most  Obedian.t.  & 
Faithfull  Serv? 

Rob;  Quaky 

Amboy  in  East  Jersey  this  20l.h  December  1703 


1704]  LORD  corxbitry’s  ADMIXISTRATIOX. 


2:1 


Communication  from  Peter  Sonmans  to  the  Earl  of 
Nottingham , about  the  appointment  of  Jeremiah 
Basse  as  Secretary  of  New  Jersey. 

iFrom  P.  R.  O.  America  and  West  Indies,  Vol.  575.] 

Reasons  humbly  Offer’d  to  The  Right  Honour- 
able The  Earl  of  Nottingham  one  of  her 
Majtyes  Principall  Secretary’s  of  State  by 
Peter  Sonmans  against  passing  the  Bill 
fformerly  ordered  by  her  Majtie  whereby  the 
Office  of  Secretary  of  Nova  Caesarea  of 
[or?]  New  Jersey  in  America  is  granted  to 
Jeremiah  Basse. 

Her  Majt.y  was  pleased  to  Sign  a Warrant  for  erect- 
ing and  granting  the  Office  of  Secretary  of  Nova 
Csesaera  to  ye  said  Mr  Basse  on  the  10th  of  November 
last  in  Obedience  whereunto  Mr  Attorney  Generali 
prepared  and  on  the  18th  day  Following  Subscribed 
ye  bill  for  the  same. 

The  said  M1  Basse  altho’  he  very  well  knew  the  great 
disorders  of  the  said  province  & yl  in  order  to  Suppresse 
ym  & settle  a regular  form  of  Governm1  therein  the 
Lord  Cornbury’s  Co’mission  constituteing  his  Lo’pp 
Governour  thereof  was  passed  and  ye  absolute  neces- 
sity there  would  be  of  a Secretary  to  attend  the  Gov- 
ernour for  her  Map.63  Service,  Yett  Basse  so  farr 
Slighted  her  Majti6S  favour  and  neglected  his  own  duty 
as  not  to  take  any  Care  to  make  one  Step  further 
towards  passing  his  pat  tent  but  Absconded  Soon  after, 
and  in  the  month  of  Aprill  last  secretly  wthdrew  beyond 
Sea,  and  to  prevent  his  Creditors  finding  him  some  of 
wch  had  Writts  and  others  Executons  against  him 
instead  of  imbarking  for  new  Jersey  or  new  York 


24  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1704 

privately  ship’t  himself  on  a Shipp  bound,  to  Virginia 
haveing  caused  it  to  be  given  out,  that  he  had  passed 
his  pattent  by  wch  he  prevented  • any  other  from 
Endeavouring  to  Obtaine  the  said  Office 

But  besides  this  great  Neglect  of  the  said  Mr.  Basse 
by  weh  it’s  humbly  conceived  he  has  fforfeited  her 
Majtyes  favour  he  has  by  many  foul  practises  and 
indirect  ways  deservedly  Obtained  so  very  ill  a Charec- 
ter  and  generall  disesteem  of  all  that  have  been 
acquainted  with  him  (as  will  be  fully  made  appear  if 
your  Lordshipp  shall  please  to  direct  it)  that  it’s  hoped 
your  Ldpp  will  not  think  him  Worthy  of  the  Honour 
of  her  Majties  grants. 

The  said  Mr  Basse  has  also  by  his  indiscreet  and 
Unhandsome  behaviour  when  last  in  ye  sd  Province  so 
disobliged  and  disgusted  many  of  the  Inhabitants 
thereof  that  his  appeareing  under  any  Comission  will 
rather  revive  & encrease  then  be  a means  to  help  to 
Compose  the  disorders  and  confusions  therein  w°h  were 
chiefly  raised  in  Opposition  to  his  Administracon 

The  said  M1  Basse  haveing  formerly  been  Intrusted 
by  divers  wth  the  management  of  their  private  Affairs, 
Agent  and  Attorney  for  some  others  in  those  parts  has 
so  very  ill  acquitted  himself  of  those  Trusts  and  gott 
their  Money  and  other  Effects  into  his  hands  that 
many  and  great  demands  have  been  made  upon  him 
for  Satisfaction;  to  protect  himself  from  wch  he  has 
Shifted  his  Lodgings  to  and  ffro  in  priviledged  places 
and  abused  the  friends  of  others  in  America  who  will 
endeavour  to  obleidge  him  to  make  them  repairaton  by 
sueing  him  when  they  find  him  [in]  New  Jersey.  But 
if  he  should  be  favoured  with  the  grant  of  this  Office 
he  will  under  the  Umbrage  and  Authority  thereof  be 
enabled  to  defeat  or  at  least  in  a great  Measure  obstruct 
ym  from  obtaining  that  relife  wch  might  Justly  be 
otherwise  hoped  for  much  of  the  Judiciall  proceedings 
passing  through  the  Hands  of  the  Secretary. 


1704]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  25 

The  said  Sonmans  being  informed  of  the  said  Basses 
departure  without  passing  his  pattent,  and  that  for 
near  a Month  after,  not  any  Applicaton  for  the  same 
made  in  his  behalf  presumeing  that  the  said  Office 
would  continue  in  Effect  Vacant  and  being  greatly 
interested  in  ye  said  province  and  having  resided  there 
seu’ral  yeares  whereby  he  is  well  acquainted  wth  the 
Affairs  thereof  hoped  he  might  be  Judged  capable  of 
Serveing  her  Majtie  in  that  Station  & accordingly  made 
his  applycaton  for  the  like  favour  being  honoured  wth 
my  Lord  of  Londons  letter  of  Recommendation  to  you 
Lordshipp. 

Whereupon  after  a months  mature  deliberat’on  and 
Examination  of  the  matter  not  any  person  appeareing 
for  the  said  Mr  Basse  who  had  been  gone  near  two 
Months  your  Lordshipp  was  pleased  to  give  directions 
for  drawing  a Warrant  for  the  said  Sonmans  for  the 
sd  Office  wch  her  Majtie  was  gratiously  pleased  to  sign 
ye  31th  of  May  last  wch  the  said  Sonmans  received  the 
first  of  June  gott  his  bill  Subscribed  by  Mr  Solhcitor 
Generali  on  ye  4th  imediately  brought  back  to  your 
Lordshipps  Office  and  was  signed  by  her  Majtie  the  7th 
instant  but  the  delivery  thereof  was  some  days  after 
Opposed  by  one  Mr  Wilcocks  [Willocks]  on  the  behalf 
of  the  said  Basse  who  takeing  advantage  of  ye  sd  Son- 
mans  his  Absence  who  was  Obliged  to  be  out  of  Town 
for  10  dayes  then  appeared  after  haveing  lain  still  from 
ye  18th  of  November  when  M1  Attorney  generall  Sub- 
scribed the  bill  nor  done  any  thing  for  Mr  Basse  Since 
Aprill  when  M1  Basse  left  England.  And  altho  ye  sd 
Wilcocks  [Willocks]  had  been  Informed  of  the  said 
Sonmans  proceedings  before  his  Warrant  was  granted 
and  knew  how  ffar  he  was  advanced  nevertheless  he 
then  fetcht  the  said  M1  Basses  bill  from  Mr  Attorney 
Generall  Where  it  had  lay  dormant  so  many  months 
and  Setts  it  up  in  Opposition  to  the  said  Mr  Sonmans. 

Wherefore  and  in  Consideraton  of  the  promises 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


LI  704 


26 

and  for  that  the  said  Sonmans  hath  by  no  neglect  or 
otherwise  slighted  her  Majties  most  gratious  favour  but 
on  the  Contrary  hath  been  always  ready  to  Imploy  his 
Interest  in  that  province  for  her  Majties  Service  and 
more  perticularly  last  year;  being  Instrumentall  in 
perswadeing  and  Influenceing  the  proprietors  of  the 
said  provinces  to  surrender  their  Claime  of  Govern- 
ment and  hath  endeavoured  to  passe  his  pattent  wth 
the  Utmost  Expedition  that  he  might  be  ready  to  enter 
upon  his  Duty  and  is  ready  to  produce  such  Recom- 
mendation as  he  humbly  hopes  will  be  to  your  Lord- 
ships  intire  Satisfaction. 

He  the  said  Sonmans  humbly  submitts  the  matters 
aforesaid  unto  your  Lordshipps  Consideration  Humbly 
beseeching  your  Lordshipps  directions  That  his  Bill 
Signed  by  her  Majtie  may  be  delivered  to  him. 

[1704] 


A True  Representation  of  the  Case  of  Jeremiah  Basse. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  America  and  West  Indies,  Vol.  575.] 

The  Case  of  Jeremiah  Basse  Esq  Humbly  Pre- 
sented To  the  Right  Honob!e  Daniel  Earle  of 
Nottingham,  her  Maties  Principall  Secretary 
of  State. 

Sheweth 

That  the  said  Jeremiah  Basse  by  Warrant  from  her 
Majtie  was  Constituted  Secretary  of  New  Jersey  in 
America,  And  in  hopes  of  Enjoying  the  same,  hath 
been  at  great  Charge  and  Expence,  in  Conveying  him 


1704]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  27 

self  his  wife  and  Children,  and  all  others  his  ffamily 
thither,  but  being  under  low  Circumstances,  made 
application  to  his  ffriends  here  in  England,  who 
promised  to  assist  him,  and  did  Agree  with  him,  That 
upon  his  Departure  from  England,  and  Arrivall  in 
America,  they  would  Advance  so  much  money  as 
would  Pass  his  Patent;  And  before  his  Departure,  he 
went  to  one  Mr  Peter  Sonman’s  who  was  and  is  con- 
siderably indebted  to  him,  and  told  the  said  Sonman, 
what  occasions  he  had  for  money,  who  promised  to 
Supply  money  for  his  Service,  & pay  the  same  to  his 
the  said  Basse’s  Agent;  Whereupon  the  said  Basse  Sent 
the  Accof  Signed  by  the  said  Sonman,  to  his  the  said 
Basse’s  Agent  to  receive  the  same  of  the  said  Sonman, 
who  instead  of  paying  what  was  justly  due,  went 
underhand  to  Intercept  the  said  Basse  of  his  Place  and 
Patent,  and  is  now  endeavouring  to  obtain  the  same: 
The  said  Basse  having  paid  the  ffees  for  his  Warr* 
before  his  departure,  and  his  ffrinds  have  since  paid 
all  the  ffees,  Excepting  the  Passing  the  Privy  and 
Great  Seale,  which  they  are  willing  and  ready  to  do; 
but  upon  their  applying  to  have  the  same  done,  ffind  a 
Stop  put  to  the  same;  but  hopes  for  no  other  reason, 
than  his  delaying  in  Passing  the  same;  he  being  a Per- 
son that  formerly  was  Governor  of  the  said  Jerseys, 
and  since  hath  been  very  Instrumentall  in  bringing 
the  same  under  her  Mali?s  Authority  and  Direction, 
and  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Proprietors.  It  is  there 
fore  humbly  prayd  that  your  LoraP  will  be  pleased  to 
Grant  the  Liberty  of  Passing  the  said  Basse’s  Patent 
for  the  Place  of  Secretary  of  the  Jerseys,  or  he  and  his 
ffamily  will  be  utterly  ruined  and  undone. 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


28 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
about  New  Jersey  Affairs. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  1J 

LT  from  the  Ld  Cornbury  to  the  Board  Dated  at 
New  York  14th  January  170f 
My  Lords 

Hoping  that  this  may  still  reach  her  Maiestys  Ship 
Centurion  before  she  sails  from  Boston,  I take  the 
liberty  hereby  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  with  what 
has  passed  in  New  Jersey,  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Generali  Assembly  of  that  Province,  which  according 
to  her  Maiestys  commands,  in  her  Instructions  to  me, 
met  for  the  first  time  at  Perth  Amboy  in  the  Eastern 
Division  of  New  Jersey,  and  here  I must  first  observe 
with  humble  submission,  that  the  quallification  pre- 
scribed in  the  loth  clause  of  my  instructions,  for  the 
persons  who  are  to  Elect,  and  be  Elected,  will  not  be 
advantagious  for  that  Province,  and  I am  perswaded 
the  persons  that  proposed  that  regulation,  did  not 
intend  the  good  of  the  Country;  the  effects  that  have 
attended  that  way  of  Electing,  {for  I did  take  care 
that  the  Queen's  commands  should  be  obeyed ) are  these, 
first  severall  persons  very  well  qualified  to  serve,  could 
not  be  elected,  because  they  had  not  a thousand  acres 
of  Land,  though  at  the  same  time,  they  had  twice  the 
vallue  of  that  Land,  in  money  and  goods,  they  being 
trading  men,  on  the  other  hand  some  were  chosen 
because  they  have  a thousand  acres  of  Land,  and  at 
the  same  time  have  not  twenty  shillings  in  money, 
drive  noe  trade,  and  can  neither  read  nor  write,  nay 
they  can  not  answer  a question  that  is  asked  them,  of 
this  sort  we  have  two  in  the  Assembly;  the  next  incon- 
veniency  that  the  people  complain  of  in  this  way  of 
electing,  is;  that  there  being  ten  members  to  be  chosen 


1704] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


29 


for  each  Division,  it  may  soe  happen  that  all  the  ten 
may  be  dwellers  in  one  County,  and  the  more  likely  to 
be  soe,  because  the  Election  is  made  but  in  one  County, 
and  though  the  Election  has  been  appointed  as  near  as 
could  be  in  .the  Center  of  each  Division,  yet  a very 
great  number  of  people  could  not  come  to  the  election, 
because  some  had  above  a hundred  miles  to  travell, 
others  were  afraid  of  the  charge  espetially  the  roads 
being  very  bad  in  most  places  where  any  are  made; 
Now  I humbly  conceive  that  these  inconveniencys  may 
all  be  prevented,  if  her  Maiesty  will  be  gratiously 
pleased  to  alter  the  Qualifications  of  the  persons 
chusing,  and  to  be  chosen,  and  the  method  of  chusing, 
I believe  it  would  tend  very  much  to  the  service  of  her 
Maiesty  and  would  be  a Generali  satisfaction  to  the 
Country,  indeed  to  everybody,  except  some  few  per- 
sons who  have  a mind  to  opresse  the  people  of  what  I 
doe  not  doubt  but  I shall  satisfy  your  Lordshipps 
before  I finish  this  letter.  The  Assembly  met  at 
Amboy  on  the  10th  day  of  8ber,  I then  recomended  to 
them  the  setling  a Revenue  for  the  support  of  the 
Government,  the  setling  the  Militia,  the  passing  an 
Act  to  settle  and  confirm  the  Estates  of  all  Proprietors 
and  Purchasers  of  Lands  in  New  Jersey,  accordingly 
they  did  prepare  a Bill  under  the  Title  of  (An  Act  for 
the  setling  and  confirming  the  Estates  of  all  Proprie- 
tors and  Purchasers  Land  within  this  Province  of  New 
Jersey,)  how  farr  that  Bill  would  have  answered  the 
title  of  it;  will  best  appear  by  the  Bill  its’  self,  of  which 
I herewith  send  your  Lordshipps  a copy,  such  as  it  was 
sent  by  the  Assembly,  to  her  Maiesty’s  Councill,  for 
their  concurrence;  I shall  make  some  observations 
upon  some  of  the  clauses  of  the  Bill  and  submit  the 
whole  to  your  Lordships. 

I shall  begin  with  that  clause  of  their  Bill  which 
begins  at  the  13th  line  of  the  sixth  folio,  in  which  it  is 
enacted  that  this  confirmation  shall  be  an  efectuall 


30 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


1704 


title  in  the  Law  for  the  said  Proprietors  and  pur- 
chasers, their  heirs  and  assigns,  to  have,  hold  and 
posesse  & enioy,  eveiy  part  of  the  above  recited  tract 
of  Land  &c;  as  soon  as  this  bill  had  been  read  once  by 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  severall  persons  peti- 
tioned to  he  heard  by  their  Councell  against  the  Bill, 
setting  forth  that  if  it  passed  as  it  was  great  numbers 
of  people  would  be  devested  of  their  Estates,  to  which 
they  thought  they  had  as  good  a title  as  the  Proprie- 
tors, the  first  people  that  came  to  be  heard,  were  the 
people  of  Elisabeth  towne,  who  set  forth  that  they 
have  a Grant  of  the  Lands  they  possesse,  from 
Collonell  Nichols  who  was  the  first  Governour  sent 
into  these  parts  by  his  Royall  Highnesse  the  then 
Duke  of  York,  and  that  as  this  clause  is  worded  they 
conceive  that  they  should  be  devested  of  those  Lands, 
the  case  as  it  appears  to  me  stands  thus,  Collonell 
Nichols  coming  into  these  parts  found  the  people  of 
New  York  refractory,  and  not  inclinable  to  submit  to 
him,  but  found  the  people  of  Elisabeth  towne  ready 
to  obey  his  orders  in  all  things,  by  which  means  the 
people  of  New  York  became  more  tractable  and  did 
submit,  Collonell  Nichols  thought  himself  obliged  to 
doe  something  for  the  people  of  Elisabeth  towne,  that 
might  be  a reward  for  their  fidelity,  and  upon  that 
consideration  granted  them  the  Lands  they  now  hold, 
indeed  it  does  appear  that  his  Royall  Hignesse  the  then 
Duke  of  York  did  grant  unto  My  Lord  Berkley  and  Sr 
George  Carteret  all  that  tract  of  Land  known  by  the 
name  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Duke’s  grant  bears  date 
(as  near  as  I remember)  a month  or  six  weeks  before 
Collonell  Nichols’s  grant,  upon  this  the  present  Pro- 
prietors pretend  that  Nichols’s  grant  is  void,  and  that 
the  people  of  Elisabeth  towne  shall  hold  their  lands  of 
them  under  the  same  quit  rents  which  they  have  from 
other  persons  to  whom  they  have  sold  Lands  since,  on 
the  other  hand  the  people  of  Elisabeth  towne  insist 


1704]  LORD  cornbury's  administration.  31 

that  Collonell  Nichols’s  grant  to  them  is  good,  because 
(they  say)  he  had  power  from  the  Duke  to  grant,  and 
that  his  grant  was  made  before  he  could  know  that  the 
Duke  had  granted,  they  farther  Insisted  that  if  a Grant 
of  that  nature  is  set  aside,  it  will  not  be  safe  for  any 
man  to  make  any  improvement  upon  any  Land 
obtained  by  grant  from  any  Gouvernor  in  these  parts, 
nor  to  purchase  any  Lands  from  any  Trustee,  Agent, 
or  Atorney  for  any  person  in  England;  they  say  they 
ought  to  pay  their  quit  rent  to  the  Crowne,  if  the 
Queen  is  willing  to  give  that  to  the  Proprietors,  they 
are  willing  to  pay  to  them,  but  insist  they  ought  to 
pay  noe  more  quit  rent  than  was  reserved  in  Nichols's 
patent;  the  next  one  the  people  of  Woodbridge  who 
say  that  they  had  a Charter  granted  to  them  by  Phillip 
Carteret,  who  was  the  first  Gouvernor  sent  over  by  My 
Lord  Berkley  and  sr  George  Carteret,  and  they  say 
that  this  clause  will  overthrow  that  Charter,  Indeed  I 
have  seen  the  Charter,  and  doe  think  that  it  over- 
throws it’s  self; 

The  next  clause  Enacts  that  all  and  every  such  parts, 
shares,  &c,  surveyed,  taken  up  &c,  to  all  and  every  of 
the  Proprietors  and  Purchasers  within  the  said  western 
division,  Is,  and  shall,  for  ever  be  assured,  ratified  and 
confirmed  unto  the  respective  Proprietors  &c; 

The  next  clause  in  the  7th  fol:  Enacts  that  this 
present  confirmation  is  hereby  declared,  and  shall  for 
ever  hereafter  be  deemed  taken  and  esteemed  as  a full, 
sufficient,  V alid,  and  effectual  Title  in  the  Law  for  the 
severall  and  respective  Proprietors,  Purchasers,  &c, 
(and  afterwards  enacts  that)  all  other  Proprietors  Pur- 
chasers &c,  &c,  who  have  as  yet  neglected,  or  delayed, 
to  take  up  their  respective  shares  and  proportions, 
shall  be  and  are  hereby  obliged  to  take  their  equal  pro- 
portions out  of  the  Lands  remaining  &c.,  notwith- 
standing of  their  or  any  of  them  being  Joint  tennants, 
or  tennants  in  Common,  or  any  other  Cause  matter  or 
thing  in  the  Law  whatsoever; 


32  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1704 

These  two  last  clauses  I must  observe  to  your  Lord- 
shipps,  are  very  uniust  in  themselves,  for  they  are 
contrived  both  for  the  same  ends,  first  to  confirm  the 
injurys  some  people  have  had  done  to  others  in  Eng- 
land, by  making  that  good  in  Law,  which  is  not  soe  in 
it?s  self,  and  then  by  a Law,  to  oblige  the  people 
iniured,  to  be  content  with  the  Iniurys  they  have 
received,  that  these  would  be  the  consequence  of  these 
two  clauses  will  appear  very  plain,  if  your  Lordshipps 
are  pleased  to  consider,  that  the  present  Proprietors  of 
the  Western  Division  of  New  Jersey,  by  the  purchase 
from  my  Lord  Berkley,  are  Tenants  in  Common,  now 
here  is  a clause  to  break  that  Tennancv  in  Common 
with  respect  to  those  Gentlemen  in  England,  who  have 
yet  thought  fit  to  come  into  America  themselves,  nor 
to  send  any  Agent  to  take  up  their  shares,  and  that 
without  their  knowledge,  the  truth  of  the  matter  is, 
that  those  Proprietors  who  are  come  hither,  have 
taken  up  all  the  best  of  the  Land,  and  that  which  lies 
most  convenient  for  Trade,  soe  that  those  in  England 
must  be  content  (if  this  Bill  had  passed)  to  take  their 
shares  in  the  mountains.  This  I did  not  think  at  all 
reasonable  and  endeavoured  as  much  as  I could,  with 
■those  persons  who  1 thought  had  the  most  interest 
among  the  members  of  the  Assembly,  and  Councill  to 
convince  them  of  the  unreasonablenesse  of  that  Bill  as 
it  then  stood,  I told  them  severall  of  the  objections  I 
had  to  it.  that  they  might  get  them  amended  before 
the  Bill  came  to  me,  but  as  it  was  contrived  to  answer 
private  ends  (as  above  mentioned)  it  was  impossible  to 
get  them  to  depart  from  those  clauses. 

The  next  clause  in  fol:  S Enacts,  that  all  shares, 
paints,  proportions,  &c  that  have  been  designed, 
released,  granted  &c  since  the  second  day  of  february 
1682  within  the  Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey,  &c. 
Is  hereby  declared,  and  shall  for  ever  hereafter  be 
taken,  deemed,  and  esteemed  a good,  valid  and 


LORD  CORXBFRYS  ADMIXISTR  ATIOX. 


1704] 


sufficient  title  in  the  Law,  notwithstanding  the  want 
of  Form,  or  any  other  matter,  cause  or  thing  in  the 
Law  whatsoever,  soe  that  if  one  man's  estate  has  been 
conveyed  away  to  another  (as  I am  afraid  it  has  been 
done)  why  that  conveyance  was  to  be  confirmed,  and 
made  valid  in  Law  as  well  as  many  others,  without 
ever  producing  one,  to  shew  the  necessity  of  such  a 
clause. 

The  next  clause  I shall  take  notice  of  is  the  last 
clause  in  the  9th  fol:  by  which  it  is  enacted,  that  all 
and  every  perticular  tract  of  Land  formerly  granted 
by  my  Lord  Berkley  and  Sr  George  Carteret  or  by  their 
Gouvernors  and  Councill  of  New  Jersey  under  the 
common  seale  thereof  or  by  their  Agents  or  Attorneys, 
conform  to  the  Powers,  Concessions,  and  Instructions 
to  them  given  by  the  said  John  Lord  Berkley  or  Sr 
George  Carteret  or  either  of  them,  are  hereby  ratified, 
assured  and  confirmed  to  each  and  every  of  the 
respective  Grantees'  &c;  this  clause  at  first  sight  seems 
to  carry  a fair  face,  but  is  in  reality  a very  ill  clause, 
it  seems  to  confirm  to  the  Grantees  their  estates,  hut 
then  it  is  only  such  as  have  been  granted  conform  to 
the  Powers,  Concessions  and  Instructions  given  by  my 
Lord  Berkley  and  Sr  George  Carteret  or  either  of  them 
to  thefi  Gouvernors,  and  every  body  here  knows  that 
those  Gouvernors  never  acquainted  the  people  what 
then*  powers  were,  only  published  their  Commissions, 
so  that  those  persons  who  purchased  from  those  Gouv- 
ernors   1 to  be  devested  of  the  Lands  they 

have  honestly  paid  for.  and  have  improved  with  great 
expence,  labour,  and  industry,  (unlesse  they  will  pur- 
chase them  again  from  the  present  Proprietors ) 
because  their  Grants  or  Conveyances  are  not  conform 
to  the  Powers  Commissions  and  Instructions  given  by 
my  Lord  Berkley,  and  Sr  George  Carteret,  or  one  of 


1 Piece  torn  out  of  the  copy. 


34  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1704 

them,  (which  indeed  very  few  of  the  Grants  are)  but 
at  the  time  the  Purchasers  knew  nothing  at  all  of 
those  Instructions,  nor  what  they  contained,  if  they 
had,  it  is  reasonable  to  believe  they  would  have  con- 
formed themselves  to  them,  because  it  is  very  naturall 
for  every  man  to  desire  as  good  a title  to  the  Estate  he 
purchases  as  he  can. 

The  next  clauses  I shall  take  notice  of  are  the  last 
clauses  in  the  tenth  A eleventh  pages,  the  first  is  to 
impower  the  Proprietor,  Jointly  or  severally  by  them- 
selves, or  their  receiver  Generali,  or  their  Agents, 
Attorneys,  or  servants,  to  make  distresses  for  non 
payment  of  quit  rent,  and  this  is  to  be  done  by  them 
or  their  servants,  without  taking  any  notice  of  any 
magistrate,  or  any  Officer  in  the  Gouvernment,  but 
because  they  were  told  that  was  carried  a little  too  farr, 
the  next  clause  is  to  quallify  it,  and  there  it  is  Enacted 
that  all  the  respective  Sheriffs,  and  Constables,  shall 
for  ever  hereafter  (being  required  thereto  by  the  said 
Proprietors  &c)  be  aiding  and  assisting  to  make  such 
distresses  as  aforesaid,  and  this  is  to  be  done  by  the 
Sheriffs  or  Constables  without  any  warrant  from  any 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  or  any  body  else,  but  ex  Officio 
and  at  the  request  of  any  servant  of  a Proprietor,  when 
perhaps  his  mastei*  may  know  nothing  of  the  matter. 

The  last  clause  in  the  12th  folio  Enacts  that  all  tracts 
of  Lands  belonging  to  persons  beyond  the  seas,  or 
within  any  of  the  neighbouring  Collonys,  which  have 
been  sold  by  their  Agents  or  Attorneys,  since  the  first 
day  of  february  1682,  by  virtue  of  letters  of  Agency, 
or  of  Atorney,  such  sales  are  hereby  declared,  and  shall 
for  ever  hereafter  be  deemed  and  esteemed,  a good, 
sufficient,  and  valid  title  in  the  Law;  this  I confesse  is 
a very  necessary  Clause  for  some  people  as  the  case 
stands,  for  great  tracts  of  land  have  been  sold  by 
Agents  without  the  knowledge,  and  contrary  to  the 
interest  of  the  Owners,  and  some  times  contrary  to 
them  directions,  soe  that  if  there  is  not  some  clause  of 


LORD  CORNBtTRY'S  ADMINISTRATION. 


35 


1704 


this  nature,  now  that  the  Law  begins  to  take  its  proper 
course  the  right  Owners  may  recover  their  own  again, 
which  will  be  noe  small  losse  to  some  persons  here, 
who  have  been  Agents  for  persons  in  England,  and 
have  combined  with  other  persons  here  to  cheat:  and 
defraud  their  Imployers. 

Thus  I have  gone  through  the  severall  Clauses  of  the 
Bill,  which  the  Proprietors  here,  were  soe  fully  resolved 
to  have  passed,  that  they  were  resolved  noe  Revenue 
should  be  setled,  till  that  was  done,  I often  put  them 
in  mind  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  setling  a Revenue 
upon  her  Maiesty  for  the  support  of  the  Government, 
but  still  the  Proprietor’s  Bill  as  they  very  well  called  it 
was  insisted  on.  soe  seeing  there  was  noe  good  to  be 
done  with  them  at  that  time,  and  the  season  of  the 
year  being  fan*  advanced,  on  the  13th  of  10ber  I ad- 
journed the  Assembly  to  the  lsTh  of  May  1704,  at  which 
time  I hope  to  find  them  in  better  humour  if  not.  I 
must  try  another  Assembly:  I am  with  great  respect 
My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most  faithfull 

humble  servant 

Oorxbury. 


Objections  of  the  Proprietors  to  Two  of  the  Council. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey  Vol.  1,  A,  12.] 

Memorial  of  Several  of  the  Proprietors  of  New 
Jerseys  objecting  against  Mr  Sonmans  and 
Mr  Cox  to  be  of  the  Council  there. 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  Comissioners  for 
Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  memorial!  of  severall  of  the  Propriety  of  the 
United  provinces  of  East  and  west  New  Jersey. 

The  Propriety  most  thankfully  acknowledge  your 
Lordships'  favour  in  giving  them  notice  of  Mr  Dock- 


36  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1704 

wra’s  reco’mending  Mr  Peter  Sonman  and  M-  Daniel 
Cox  to  fill  up  the  Vacancy s in  the  Council  of  those 
Provinces  And  tbo’  the  Propriet1'8  cannot  but  think 
such  a proceeding  of  M1'  Dockwra  without  first  con- 
sulting them,  whose  Interest  is  soe  considerable  in  it 
selfe,  and  so  much  superior  to  his  own,  to  be  a great 
prsumpcon  in  him,  and  injustice  to  them,  Yet  without 
insisting  upon  that  Excepcon,  and  the  further  objec- 
tion that  Justly  be  taken  to  any  persons  who  are 
recomended  by  a man  of  his  Charact1',  They  humbly 
offer  to  your  Lordship’s  the  following  reasons  against 
the  admission  of  those  persons  he  has  nominated,  into 
that  station. 

l8t  Mr  Sonmans  became  a Bankrupt  about  four 
years  since,  and  compounded  his  debts  for  7s  6d  in  the 
pound,  which  he  has  not  yet  paid.  The  greatest  part 
of  the  Lands  he  p-'tends  to  have  in  these  provinces,  are 
(as  the  Propriet1”.8  are  informed)  claimed  by  his  sisters 
and  their  husbands,  and  the  residue  may  be  claimed 
by  his  Creditr.8  for  nonpayment  of  his  Composic’on,  and 
perhaps  if  his  Title  were  strictly  enquired  into,  It  will 
be  found  yet  more  pVcarious,  and  the  Lands  to  belong 
to  the  Crowne,  his  father  from  whom  he  claims  as 
heire  at  law,  having  been  an  Alien,  and  continued  so 
to  his  death. 

The  Propriet1'8  humbly  submit  it  to  yo-  Lord’ps  Con- 
sideracon,  how  farr  it  will  be  consistent  with  the 
Queen’s  Hon1.'  that  a person  who  has  so  ill  managed  his 
own  private  affairs,  and  been  guilty  of  so  much  injus- 
tice to  her  Subjects  here,  should  be  trusted  with  the 
Administracon  or  dirrecon  of  publick  affairs  there,  and 
how  p’  judiciall  it  may  be  to  her  Majties  Right  to  those 
lands,  or  the  Rights  of  his  sisters  and  Creditrs 

For  these  reasons  the  said  Propriet1'.8  have  refus’d  to 
admit  Mr  Sonmans  to  be  their  Agent,  tho’  MV  Dockwra 
has  falsely  insinuated  to  yo1.'  Lordps  that  he  is  soe. 

2dly  Mr  Daniel  Cox  has  no  other  p’tence  to  any 


LORD  CORNBURY?S  ADMINISTRATION. 


37 


1704] 


Lands  in  those  provinces  than  what  he  makes  by  late 
Conveyances  from  his  father  Doctr  Cox,  who  many 
years  since  sold  all  his  lands,  Right,  Title  and  Interest 
in,  and  to  those  provinces,  to  some  of  the  said  Pro- 
priety8 and  if  before  the  determinacon  of  the  Propriety 
Right  in  a Course  of  Justice  (to  which  they  intend  to 
resort)  Yo-  Lords’ps  shou’d  place  M'  Daniel  Cox  in  the 
station  of  one  of  the  Councill  of  those  provinces,  It 
may  give  a credit  to  his  p-tences  amongst  the  inhabi- 
tants there,  and  raise  a p'  judice  in  them  against  the 
Proprietrs  Right,  which  they  are  assur’d  yor  Lords’ps 
would  not  so  much  as  accidentally  contribute  to.  All 
which  they  humbly  submit  to  yor  Lords’ps  great 
wisdom. 

The  Propriety  upon  this  occasion  humbly  crave 
leave  to  acquaint  yo-  Lords’ps  That  They  have  received 
informacon  from  a person  of  Credit  in  New  Jersey, 
that  M"  Daniel  Cox  being  lately  there,  has  encouraged 
a faction  of  the  meaner  people  to  oppose,  and  subvert 
that  part  of  the  constitucon  lately  establish’d  by  yo- 
Lord’ps,  which  relates  to  the  Eleccon  of  Members  of 
the  Generali  Assembly  As  to  the  qualificons  of  the 
Elect1’8  and  the  Elected,  the  former  of  whom  yo- 
Lordsps  requir’d  to  have  100  Acres  of  freehold  Lands 
and  the  latter  to  have  1000  Acres  of  freehold  Lands  in 
their  own  respective  Rights.  This  Constitucon  placing 
the  Legislative  power  in  persons  of  substance,  proves, 
as  it  was  intended  by  yo1-'  Lord’ps  an  encouragement  to 
such  as  are  able  to  cultivate  the  Country  and  a security 
of  their  Improvements;  But  Mr  Cox  Coll  Quarry  and 
some  other  men  of  sinister  designs  have  thought  fit  to 
insinute  amongst  those  people,  that  this  is  an  infringe- 
ment of  the  naturall  right  of  the  other  Inhabitants, 
and  tends  to  enslave  them.  By  this  plausible  Artifice 
he  has  obtained  so  much  credit  to  his  owne  prtences  as 
to  procure  payment  to  him  self  e of  moneys  for  which 
the  Propriet1’.8  Agent  had  sold  lands  they  bought  of  his 
father;  And  if  he  be  Countenanced  and  invested  by 


LO  R I)  CO  R X BURY  S AD  M I N I STRATI  O N . 


3$ 


[1704 


yor  Lords’ps  with  any  Charact-  within  that  province, 
he  may  be  capable  not  only  of  depriving  them  of  more 
of  their  lands,  but  of  bringing  the  Country  into  such 
confusion,  as  will  occasion  most  of  the  wealthier 
Inhabitants  to  forsake  that  province,  as  many  of  them 
have  declar’d  their  resolucon  to  doe  if  that  security  be 
taken  from  them. 

These  Propriet”  are  likewise  informed  that  pur- 
chases of  lands  from  the  Indians  without  the  Propriet1 * * * * * *.8 
consent  are  encourag’d,  or  at  least  conniv’d  at  by  per- 
sons of  authority  there,  which  is  not  only  directly 
repugnant  to  yor  Lord’ps  Orders,  and  anUsurpacon  of 
the  Propriet"  Right,  but  as  they  conceive  and  are 
advis’d,  is  an  invasion  of  the  Queen’s  Prrogative  under 
which  they  claime. 

These  Propriet"  therefore  humbly  pray,  that  yor 
Lord’ps  will  give  effectuall  instrucc’ons  to  the  Govern1 
of  New  Jersey  to  pr serve  all  the  Articles  of  the  late 
constitucon  establish’d  by  yor  Lord’ps  after  mature 
deliberacon,  and  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the 
Propriet"  (and  even  of  Mr  Dockwra  himselfe)  from  the 
least  violation.  Tho  Lane1 

Paul  Doeminique 
Rob  Michel 
E.  Richier 
Jn°  Bridges 
Obadiah  Burnett 
John  Whiting 
Fra.  Michel 
Jos:  Brooksbank 
John  Jurin. 

[Reed  Janry  27l.h  l?0f] 


1 As  manifested  in  many  pages  of  Vol.  II, 

Sir  Thomas  Lane  took  an  active  interest  in  the 

affairs  of  New  Jersey  from  his  first  connection 

with  the  West  Jersey  Society  in  1690.  He  was 

at  one  time  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  and  a son. 

Henry,  came  to  New  York  about  1710,  engaged 

in  business  there  and  was  elected  one  of  the 

Council  of  that  Province  in  1731.— En. 


1704] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


39 


Answers  to  the  foregoing  Memorial. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  A 13.] 

Mr  Dockwra,  Mr  Cox  Mr  Sonmans  Answrs  to  the 
Memorial  delivered  to  the  Board  27th  Last 
Month  by  Mr  Doeminique  and  others,  ob- 
jecting agst  the  2 Latter  being  admitted  of 
the  Council  of  New  Jersey  [Reed  Read  14th 
Pebry  1701] 

To  The  Right  Honourable  the  Lords  Commission- 
ers for  Forreigne  Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  severall  answers  of  W™  Dockwra  Secretary  & 
Register  to  the  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Division  of 
the  Province  of  New  Jersie  and  of  Peter  Sonmans 
their  Agent  and  Generali  Attorney  &c“ 

To  that  part  of  the  Memoriall  Signed  by  severall  of 
the  Proprietors  of  the  United  Provinces  of  East  & 
West  Jersie,  soe  far  as  it  concerns  them 


May  it  Please  your  Lordshipps 
for  as  much  as  the  said  Memoriall  chiefly  consists  of 
untrue  allegations  in  Generali,  and  very  undecent 
reflections  in  particular,  not  only  on  the  said  WT  Dock- 
wra and  Peter  Sonmans  but  alsoe  on  Coll:  Daniel] 
Coxe  included  therein,  They  humbly  conceive  it  may 
be  convenient  (for  the  more  Ample  information  and 
satisfaction  of  your  Lordshipps)  to  separate  their 
answers,  soe  as  the  said  W"1  Dockwra  & Peter  Son- 
mans  may  joyne  in  theirs,  in  reference  to  the  Eastern 
Division:  & the  said  Coll:  Coxe  answer  apart  the 
charge  laid  against  them  chiefly  relating  the  Western 
Division  of  the  s~  Province 


40 


LOKl)  CORNBUKY  8 ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


And  whereas  those  Subscribers  have  thought  fit  to 
begin  wV*  their  Accusations  and  Invectives  against  M1 
Dockwra,  he  craves  Leave  of  your  Lordshipps  to  An- 
swer first,  viz1 

That  those  persons  do  untruly  charge  him  with 
having  recommended  the  said  Coll.  Coxe  for  one  to 
fill  up  y?  vacansey  of  the  Councell  in  those  pro- 
vinces, for  that  Mr  Dockwra’s  Address  to  your  Lord- 
shipps was  only  on  the  behalf  of  M!  Sonmans  to  be 
recommended  by  your  Lordsh1^  to  supply  the  room  of 
one  Cap1  Leonard  Lately  deceased  in  y • Eastern  Divi- 
sion; Nor  did  he  move  your  Lordships  on  that  Subject 
upon  his  own  particular  application  as  ye  Memoriall 
unduely  insinuates,  but  he  did  it  by  Speciall  order  and 
direction  of  the  Committe  and  on  behalf  of  the  Propri- 
etors of  the  Eastern  Division  in  Generali,  of  whom  all 
that  were  in  England  (except  these  factious  Subscribers 
and  their  Partners),  had  then  chosen  and  Constituted 
the  said  Mr  Sonmans  their  Agent  and  Generali  Attor. 
ney,  and  expected  he  should  Transport  himself  in 
Company  of  the  very  next  Convoy,  The  Committe  of 
Proprietors  having  his  orders  and  Instructions  at  that 
time,  under  consideration  for  his  Dispatch  his  Commis 
sion  being  delivered  to  him  under  the  hands  and  seales 
of  all  the  Proprietors  in  England  as  aforesaid,  except 
those  men  and  the  rest  of  their  Partners  as  aforesaid, 
who  usually  Stile  themselves  y;e  West  Jersie  Society; 
who  might  have  Signed  it  too,  if  they  had  not  thought 
themselves  too  great  to  condescend  to  a friendly  com- 
pliance with  the  rest,  but  conceiting  their  Interest  was 
soe  considerable  in  itself,  they  have  had  the  vanity  to 
represent  it  to  your  Lordshipps,  soe  Superior  to  M1; 
Dockwra,  that  they  arraigne  him  as  guilty  of  a great 
presumption  & injustice  in  Such  a proceeding,  (tho  he 
addressed  by  order  and  direction  of  all  the  rest  of  the 
Proprietors  in  England)  without  first  consulting  them, 
when  they  would  not  be  consulted  with;  And  when 


LORD  CORXBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


41 


1T04] 


after  all  the  undeserved  aspersions  and  ungentlemen 
Like  treatment,  in  Such  a paper,  insinuating  as  if  they 
had  a mighty  Interest 

Your  LordshP?  may  be  pleased  to  be  truly  informed 
that  the  most  they  pretend  to  is  but  two  Proprietyes  & 
a half,  in  the  Eastern  Division,  tho  the  rest  of  the 
Proprietors  find  no  more  then  two  on  their  Register, 
and  can  allow  them  noe  more  till  they  make  out  their 
title  to  another  half  if  they  can;  soe  j\  of  24  proprieties 
they  have  but  two  Appears,  & the  best  part  of  y?  land 
that  is  taken  up  on  those  two  proprieties,  is  already 
Sold  away:  in  soe  much  that  these  Subscribers  & their 
partners  have  soe  little  reason  to  represent  their  Inter- 
est to  be  soe  considerable  and  to  boast  it  to  be  soe 
Superior  to  Ml  Dockwra’s  that  he  does  assure  your 
Lordships, — He  would  not  Exchange  his  Single  Inter- 
est & concern  for  the  whole  Joynt  interest  & concerne 
that  the  Society  has  in  the  Eastern  Division  of  new 
Jersey. 

And  as  to  y.e  Liberty  your  Lordships  find  they  take 
in  their  paper  to  defame  Mr  Dockwras  Character  tho 
he  cannot  but  take  notice  of  their  sly  way  of  reflection 
to  blast  it  Yet  he  thanks  God  for  the  satisfaction  he 
has,  in  the  unblemisht  Reputation  he  beares  among  all 
Worthy  goodmen  that  know  him,  and  is  the  less  con- 
cern’d when  his  Character  is  reflected  on,  by  some 
peculiar  Persons  among  yf  Subscribers  who  have  en- 
snar’d some  honester  unwary  Gentlemen  to  Signe  w11! 
Such,  whose  tongues  or  pens  ( He  presumes  to  believe) 
your  Lordships  will  count  noe  Slander  on  Mr  Dockwra’s 
charracter,  especially  from  those  men  who  have  soe 
great  need  (but  take  so  little  care)  to  defend  their  own. 
A further  instance  shows  that  they  little  regard  then- 
own  Reputation  when  they  obstinately  persist,  wrong- 
fully, to  accuse  Mr  Dockwra  to  have  falsely  insinuated 
to  your  Lordshipps,  y?  Mr  Sonmans  was  the  Proprietors 
Agent,  when  he  attended  yor  Lordships  with  him,  to 


42 


LORD  CORNBURY S ADMINISTRATION. 


[i;o4 


represent  him  as  such:  In  Answer  to  which  M:r  Son- 
mans  annexed  paper,  & the  Originall  Commission 
which  he  will  produce  under  the  hands  and  Seales  of 
all  y.e  rest  of  the  Proprietors  in  England;  will  shame- 
fully confront  their  Callumny,  & undeniably  manifest 
the  verity  of  Mr  Dockwra’s  representation  to  your 
Lordships,  to  which  clear  evidence  of  the  truth,  he 
refers  himself,  and  Relyes  upon  your  Lordships  wisdome 
& Justice  to  acquit  him  from  those  unjust  imputations 
& unmerrited  reflections  contained  in  the  said  unde- 
cent  Memoriall,  being  very  sorry  for  the  Needless 
trouble  it  has  occasioned  to  Your  Lordshipps:  and 
humbly  prays  he  may  remain  in  Your  Lordshipps 
favour  and  good  opinion. 


To  the  Right  HoNBt*  the  Lords  Commissioners  for 
Trade  and  Plantations 

The  Answer  of  Daniel  Coxe  Jun?  to  some  part  of 
a Memorial  Sign’d  by  Sf  Thomas  Lane  and  several 
others. 

I must  in  the  first  place  crave  leave  to  inform  yr 
Lordships,  that  Mr  Dockwra’s  recommending  mee,  in 
conjunction  with  Mf  Peter  Sonmans,  to  fill  up  one  of 
the  Vacancy s in  the  Councill  of  New  Jersey,  was  abso- 
lutely without  my  knowledge,  and  tho'  I believe  Mr 
Dockwra  design’d  it  as  a Favour  to  mee,  and  no  way 
injurious  or  detrimental!  to  the  Country,  as  these 
Gentl?  endeavour  to  insinuate  it  must  of  necessity  be 
yet  I could  wish  He  had  never  mention’d  my  name  to 
yr  Lordships  on  that  account,  whereby  yr  Lordships, 
these  Gent”,  and  my  self,  would  have  been  altogether 

1 For  notice  of  William  Dockwra  see  Vol.  1,  p.  378.— Ed. 


1704] 


LORD  CORXBURV’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


43 


freed  from  so  much  unnecessary  trouble.  But  being, 
without  any  just  Provocation  on  my  part,  so  unjustly 
misrepresented  unto  your  Lordships,  I think  my  self 
obliged  to  vindicate  my  Reputation,  and  it  is  no  small 
Sattisf action  that  my  Plea  is  before  such  discerning 
and  impartial  Judges. 

Your  Lordships,  at  the  time  of  the  Presentation  of 
the  Memorial  from  Sir  Tho  Lane,  and  some  others,, 
having  declar’d  your  resolution  not  to  intermeddle  in 
disputes  controversys  concerning  Titles  to  Land,  by 
reason  the  Courts  of  Justice  were  the  proper  places  for 
the  determining  Causes  of  that  nature,  I shall  not 
trouble  Your  Lordships  with  any  prolix  or  artificiall 
answer  to  these  Gentlemens  Allegations  but  only  in 
short  reply,  that  my  Father  absolutely  denys  his  having 
sold  them,  or  any  others,  his  intire  & total  Intrest  in 
and  to  those  Provinces  but  on  the  contrary  affirms, 
that  he  reserved  to  himself  several  very  considerable 
Tracts  of  Land  which  the  Writings  I have  ready  to 
produce  will  clearly  evince,  and  the  Conveyances  made 
to  these  Gentf  will  further  prove.  And  had  these 
Gent"  any  such  Right,  as  they  pretend  too.  and  any 
writings  to  Confirm  it,  they  surely  would  never  suffer 
those  Contumelys  and  reproaches  wf  are  every  day 
thrown  on  them,  not  only  by  Some  of  their  own  Agents 
and  perticular  Purchasers  but  by  almost  the  whole 
Country,  who  for  near  twelve  Years  past,  have 
demanded  them  to  bee  sent  over  to  the  Province,  and 
enter’d  upon  the  Register,  which  is  always  Customary, 
and  without  which,  no  man  can  bee  assur’d  or  Secur’d 
in  the  Possession  of  his  Lands  and  Estate. 

As  to  what  these  Gen1"1  mention  in  then*  Memorial, 
to  y[  Lorships,  concerning  the  information  they  have 
reef  from  a Person  of  Credit  in  Xew  Jersey,  about  my 
incouraging  a Faction  of  the  meaner  People  to  oppose 
and  subvert  that  part  of  the  Constitution  lately  estab- 
lish’d by  your  Lordships,  wc.h  relates  to  the  Election  of 


44  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1704 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  te  the  Qualifica- 
tions of  the  Electors  and  Elected.  I answer,  that  they 
having  mentioned  only  in  General  Terms  this  informa- 
tion to  proceed  from  a person  of  Credit,  without  taking 
any  notice  of  his  Name,  or  giving  any  Proof  of  the 
Charge,  I’m  apt  to  believe  by  this  proceeding,  the 
Gen4™  not  to  bee  of  that  Credit  they  would  seem  to 
intimate,  or  else,  if  any  such  there  be,  that  he’s  some 
Instrument  they  make  use  of,  to  misrepresent  my 
Actions,  and  justify  their  own.  Howsoever  I abso- 
lutely deny  my  encouraging  of  any  Faction,  espetially 
of  the  meaner  People,  with  whom  I seldom  converst; 
but  when  I did  it  was  always  concerning  either  my 
own  private  affairs,  or  to  convince  them  of  their  happi 
ness  in  being  deliver’d  from  the  Arbitrary  Governm?  of 
their  late  Lords  and  Masters  and  in  being  now  more 
immediately  under  the  more  moderate  and  gentle 
Governm?  of  the  Queen,  who  they  might  be  assur’d 
would  Secure  them  in  the  Possession  of  their  Libertys 
and  Estates,  and  suffer  Justice  to  fffow  in  its  proper 
channel,  which  for  several  years  past  to  their  great 
grief  and  detriment  had  been  obstructed.  And  I hope 
your  Lordships  will  allow  his  Excellency  the  Lord 
Cornbury,  who  was  a nice  inspector  of  all  my  actions, 
to  be  a person  of  as  much  Credit  and  a much  more 
proper  Judge  of  my  Behaviour  than  this  Gentlemen 
from  whom  this  information  comes;  and  yet  his  Lord- 
ship  has  been  pleas’d  to  give  me  a quite  different 
Character,  and  which  is  yet  of  more  Validity  to  con- 
found these  Gen?  insinuations,  has  honour’d  and 
intrusted  mee  with  the  charge  and  Command  of  all 
the  Forces  in  the  Western  Division  of  New  Jersey; 
which  I’m  apt  to  believe  his  Lordship  would  not  have 
done,  had  he  in  the  least  been  sensible  of  my  being 
guilty  of  what  these  Gentlemen  lay  to  my  charge. 

I shall  not  take  up  at  prsent  so  much  of  your  Lords- 
ships  time,  neither  indeed  do  I think  it  so  proper  in 


LORD  CORNBURy’s  ADMINISTRATION-. 


45 


1704] 


this  place,  to  enter  into  the  merits  of  the  cause,  or 
Justify  or  Condemn  the  necessity  or  usefulness  of  the 
before  mention’d  Instruction,  because  I’m  satisfy’d 
your  Lordships,  will  by  the  first  shipping  from  those 
parts,  receive  from  his  Excellency  the  L-1  Cornbury  a 
more  ample  and  satisfactory  information  of  that  affair, 
than  I am  perhaps  able  to  give. 

I must  here  Acknowledge  my  particular  obligations 
to  these  Gentlemen  for  the  honour  they  have  done  mee, 
in  associating  me  with  that  truly  Worthy  Gentleman 
Coll:  Quary,  whom  they  have  likewise  accus’d  for 
encouraging  and  promoting  this  pretended  Faction. 
His  Person  and  Character  I’m  well  assur’d  are  not 
unknown  to  your  Lordships,  and  his  Services  for  the 
Crown  have  not  been  unregarded.  Wherefore  I doubt 
not  your  Lordships  will  expect  some  better  and  cleare 
proof  of  what  these  Gent?  charge  upon  him,  than  what 
has  been  hitherto  produc’d,  before  You  give  the  least 
Credit  or  encouragem*  to  their  sly  and  malitious  in- 
sinuations. 

And  least  these  Gentlemen  should  leave  one  Stone 
unturn’d  to  traduce  and  blacken  my  Reputation,  they 
are  resolv’d  to  stick  at  nothing  which  they  imagin  can 
bee  any  ways  serviceable  in  prosecuting  their  Sinister 
Designs,  and  therefore  averr  with  the  greatest  assur- 
ance imaginable,  that  by  insinuating  amonst  the  Peo- 
ple, that  the  before  men’ion’d  Instruction  was  an 
infringement  of  the  Natural  Right  of  the  other  Inhab- 
itants, and  tended  to  enslave  them,  I had  obtain’d  So 
much  Credit  to  my  own  Pretences,  as  to  procure  pay- 
ment to  my  Self  of  money  for  which  their  Agent  had 
Sold  Lands  they  bought  of  my  Father;  When  the 
greatest  part  of  the  Country  can  witness,  and  I’ve 
Testimonials  here  in  England  to  prove,  that  what 
moneys  I receiv’d  for  any  Lands  in  New  Jersey  was 
some  months  before  the  arrival  of  your  Lordships 
Instruction  to  the  Lord  Cornbury,  or  the  knowledge  I 


46 


LORI)  CORNBURV’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


had  of  any  such  particular  Instruction  being  inserted. 
And  it  was  well  known  to  the  whole  Country,  before 
whom  my  writings  were  produc’d,  and  my  Title  Can- 
vass’d, that  nothing  else  but  my  indisputable  Right  to 
these  Lands,  own'd  and  acknowledg’d  by  the  very 
Counsell  of  my  Adversarys,  could  procure  the  payment 
of  those  moneys,  and  not  any  Credit  I had  gain’d  by 
my  Insinuations;  which  besides  could  never  have  been, 
the  Poor  People  being  grown  so  over  and  above 
cautious.  Since  their  dealing  with  these  Gentlemen, 
whose  Agents  reef  from  them  w^out  any  manner  of 
reason  or  Justice  above  one  thousand  pounds. 

As  for  my  depriving  them  of  more  Lands,  and  bring- 
ing the  Country  into  such  Confusion  as  will  occasion 
most  of  the  wealthy  Inhabitants  to  forsake  that 
Province,  as  these  Gentlemen  say,  they  have  declar’d 
their  resolution  to  do,  if  the  Security  of  that  Constitu- 
tion be  taken  from  them,  I must  answer  that  I know 
of  no  Lands  I have  yet  depriv'd  them  off,  neither  am 
I capable  to  deprive  them  of  more,  the  Laws  of  Eng- 
land being,  Since  these  Gentlemen  have  had  no  Pre- 
tences to  Govr;nt  in  that  Province,  in  Full  fforce,  and  a 
Govf  there  constituted  by  the  Queen,  who  will  not 
suffer  any  Violence  or  injustice  to  bee  us’d  th<>  to  the 
meanest  and  most  abject  of  hei*  Majestys  Subjects. 
And  I can  assure  your  Lships  that  the  wealthier  people 
in  the  Province,  w^  most  of  whom  I’ve  often  con  verst, 
have  declar’d  they  think  this  part  of  the  Constitution 
to  bee  of  so  small  Security  to  themselves  in  particular, 
or  the  Country  in  General,  that  on  the  other  hand  they 
are  extreamly  fearfull  least  the  meaner  Sort  of  People 
being  discontented  hereat  should  leave  the  Province, 
and  transport  their  Familys  and  effects  to  the  neigh- 
bouring Collonys,  where  they  will  not  bee  so  strictly 
limitted  and  confin’d — 

And  because  I know  your  Lordships  to  bee  discern- 
ing Judges,  and  to  distribute  vf  Justice  without  the 


1704]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  47 

least  Partiality,  Should  y[  Lfships  admit  these  Gentle- 
mens Plea  agf  mee,  and  for  the  reasons  alledg’d,  think 
mee  unfitt  to  be  Countenanc’d  by  your  Lorships,  or 
invested  with  any  Character  in  that  Province,  tfor  the 
very  same  reasons,  I humbly  presume  your  Lordships 
will  think  fitt  to  expunge  Mr  Lewis  Morris,  who  tho 
their  Agent,  and  my  declar’d  Enimy  is  by  your  Lord- 
ships  the  first  nominated  of  the  Councill  since  the 
Death  of  Mr  Hunlock,  and  no  doubt  will  have  the  same 
advantages  of  mee,  as  they  pretend,  should  they  have 
recourse  to  Law,  I may  have  of  them.  The  last  Article 
concerning  purchasing  of  Land  from  the  Indians,  I sup- 
pose is  not  levell’d  at  mee  I being  almost  the  only  man 
espetially  in  the  Western  Division  of  the  Province  that 
publicly  oppos’d  that  transaction,  as  my  Ld  Cornbury 
can  testify;  So  shall  joyn  with  these  Gentlemen  in 
enforcing  and  reco’mending  it  to  yf  Ldships  notice  and 
Considerac’on  and  that  you  would  bee  pleas’d  to  give 
your  further  and  Speedy  orders  to  his  Excellency  the 
Lord  Cornbury  about  it.  But  before  I finish  I must 
beg  leave  to  inform  your  Lordships  that  as  I never 
design’d  to  apply  my  self  to  your  Lordships,  in  expec- 
tation of  your  flavour,  in  being  appointed  to  fill  up 
one  of  the  Yacancys  in  the  Councill  of  N : Jersey,  with- 
out my  Lord  Cornbury ’s  Consent  and  Countenance,  So 
I shall  submitt  to  the  Nomination  of  Such  persons  as 
his  Excellency  shall  recommend  to  this  honb!e  Board, 
in  pursuance  of  your  Lordships  Instructions  to  him. 
All  which  is  most  humbly  Submitted  to  your  Ldships 
great  wisdom  by 

My  Lords 

Yf  Lordships 

most  humble  and  most  Obedient  Serv? 

Daniel:  Coxe  Junr 


LORD  CORNBURY  < ADMINISTRATION. 


48 


[1704 


In  answer  to  the  Objections  in  the  sd  Mem  or  i all  against 
Peter  Sonmans.  he  humbly  offers  to  your  Lord- 
ships. 

That  many  & very  great  losses,  during  the  late 
Warr,  & not  ill  managnP  or  design  of  doing  his  Cred- 
itors injustice,  as  is  very  maliciously  and  untruly  as- 
serted in  the  sd  Memorials  obliged  him  about  4 years 
since  to  compound  with  divers  Creditors,  for  7s6d  in 
the  pound;  wih  so  fully  appeard  to  his  Creditors  that 
they  not  only  readily  accepted  his  offer:  but  also  in- 
sisted upon  no  further  security  than  his  own  bonds, 
wlh,  altho  the  contrary  is  unfairly  alledged,  are  long- 
ago  paid  and  Satisfyed,  as  may  appear  by  the  sd  can- 
celled bonds  & generall  releases. 

But  since  these  Gentlemen  have  been  so  very  Severe 
upon  the  sd  Sonmans  on  acc1  of  his  misfortunes,  it  had 
better  become  them,  not  to  have  permitted  any  to  sign 
their  sd  Memoriall,  who  have  not  only  faild  many 
years  ago,  but  also  hitherto  omitted  to  give  their  cred- 
itors any  the  least  satisfaction. 

Your  Ld’ps  having  been  pleas'd  to  declare,  that  you 
are  not  Judges  of  the  Title  of  Land,  & that  all  dis- 
putes relating  thereunto  are  foreign  to  the  matters 
before  you  ve  sd  Sonmans  does  not  presume  to  trouble 
your  Ld’ps*  wth  any  answer  to  what  is  untruly  & very 
unjustly  alledg'd  in  the  sd  Memoriall  about  the  pre- 
cariousness of  his  Title  to  the  Lands  in  New  Jersey 
Only  prays  leave  to  inform  Your  Ld'ps,  that  he  is,  & 
has  for  divers  years,  been  possessed  of  5 Proprietys 
& a quarter  of  the  Eastern  & 2 Prop1™  of  the  Western 
Division  of  New  Jersey.  That  his  Title  to  the  sd  Pro- 
prietys was  never  disputed,  save  by  Mr  Joseph  Orm- 
ston,  who  in  right  of  his  wife  being  sister  to  the  sd 
Sonmans,  about  5 years  since  exhibited  his  Bill  in 
Chancery  against  the  sd  Sonmans.  setting  forth  his 


1704]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  49 

pretentions  to  one  third  of  the  sd  Propriety s.  But 
upon  hearing  of  the  cause,  the  Right  Honble  The  Mas- 
ter of  the  Rolls,  dismist  his  Bill  wth  costs,  wih  decree 
upon  Appeal  & Rehearing:  The  Right  Honble  The  Lord 
Keeper,  confirmed  as  appears  by  the  writt  of  Execuc’on 
under  the  Broad  Seall. 

The  West  Jersey  Society  aforesd,  or  so  many  of 
them  as  sign’d  the  sd  Memoriall,  conclude  with  Telling 
your  Ld’ps,  that  for  the  reasons  by  them  menc’oned, 
they  refused  to  admitt  the  sd  Sonmans  to  be  their 
Agent,  & that  mr  Dockwra  falsely  insinuated  to  your 
Ld’ps,  that  he  is  so.  Which  Allegations  are  utterly 
untrue.  The  matter  of  fact  May  it  please  your  Ldps 
being  thus 

The  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Division  of  NeAv 
Jersey,  residing  or  being  in  England,  who  for  many 
years  have  had  the  managm'  of  all  affairs, — having 
among  them  above  14  of  the  24  Proprietys,  being  de- 
sireous  to  have  the  advice  and  consent  of  all  their 
fellow  Proprietors  in  so  materiall  a concern  as  the 
choice  of  a generall  Agent,  before  they  chose,  or  signd 
a commission  for  him,  not  only  Summond  the  sd  West 
Jersey  Society,  who  among  them  have  but  2 Proprietys 
to  all  their  intended  meetings,  but  also  frequently 
mentioned  the  occasion  and  necessity  thereof  to  induce 
them  to  come;  wch  letters  or  several!  of  them  S:  Tho: 
Lane,  whom  they  call  their  President,  ownd  to  have 
received,  But  they  nor  any  of  them  ever  attending; 
the  other  Proprietors  unanimously  chose  the  sd  Son- 
mans,  And  having  all  signd  his  Commission,  ordered 
him  to  desire  the  sd  Society’s  concurranee. 

Accordingly  the  sd  Sonmans  attending  attended  S: 
Tho:  Land  & mr  Dominique,  with  whom  he  left  the 
sign’d  commission,  who  promis’d  to  communicate  it  to 
the  sd  Society,  & declared  his  approbation  of  the  other 
Proprietors  choice 

Shortly  after  mr  Sonmans  again  attending  mrr  Dom- 
4 


50 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


inique  he  said  that  the  Society  had  no  objection  against 
the  sd  Sonmans,  but  were  willing  to  gratify  him  & 
sign  his  commission  as  to  all  things  relating  to  him : 
but  that  they  were  not  willing  to  sign  it  as  it  was 
drawn  up  because  of  some  clauses  relating  to  mr  Dock- 
wra,  with  whom  they  would  not  be  concernd,  nor  con- 
sent to  what  was  therein  confirmed  to  him. 

But  if  the  other  Proprietors  & mr  Dockwra  would 
agree  to  have  the  sd.  Commission  new  drawn  without 
those  clauses,  they  would  sign  it. 

For  proof  of  wch  the  sd  Sonmans  appeals  to  Mr  Dom- 
inique himself. 

The  sd  Sonmans  humbly  submitts  the  premises  to 
your  Ld’ps  wisdom  hoping  your  Ld’ps  will  not  Judge 
him  incapable  or  unworthy  to  Serve  her  Majty  only 
because  he  has  had  many  losess  Nor  inconsistent 
w^  the  Queen’s  honour  to  have  him  in  the  Councill 
who  has  so  large  a share  in  both  Divisions  of  New 
Jersey,  not  upon  a precarious  or  disputable  Title,  but 
such  as  after  Solem  hearings,  has  been  Judged  good  by 
two  decrees  in  Chancery  as  aforesaid. 


Memorial  from  Mr.  Paul  Doeminique,  and  other  Pro- 
prietors of  New  Jersey , to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
relating  to  New  Jersey  affairs. 


To  the  Lords  Commissrs  of  Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  Memorial  of  Several  of  the  Propriety  of  New 
Jersey  in  America. 

Whereas  divers  persons  calling  ymselves  the  Council 


1 For  notice  of  Peter  Sonmans  see  Vol.  I,  pp.  467-468.— Ed. 


[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  A.  16.] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


51 


1704] 


of  Propriety  residing  in  Jersey  have  assum'd  to  them- 
selves a power  of  purchasing  & taking  up  Lands  of  the 
Indians  in  the  West  part  of  y?  Province  wthout  the 
knowledge  or  consent  of  the  ProprieP8  in  England. 
We  humbly  pray  yo1'  Lordships  will  give  directions  to 
to  ye  Governr  that  a stop  may  be  put  to  their  proceed- 
ings till  it  appears  to  be  pursuant  to  the  constitution 
setled  and  agreed  to  by  y.e  originall  Propriety 

And  we  humbly  offer  to  yor  Lordships  the  following 
persons  viz*  Col.  Richard  Townly  Miles  Forster,  Abra- 
ham Bicklv  and  D*  John  Johnston  to  fill  up  the  vacan- 
cies in  the  Council  of  the  said  Province  who  are  Gen- 
tlemen that  have  considerable  freeholds  and  reside 
upon  the  place. 

For  ourselves  and  diver’s  other  Propriety  residing  in 
. England. 


Rec’d  April  6th,  1704. 


1 Paul  Doeminique  was  among  the  distinguished  Englishmen  that  became  an 
early  member  of  the  West  Jersey  Society,  and  seems  to  have  taken  a lively  interest 
in  its  affairs.  Shortly  after  the  date  of  this  paper  he  became  one  of  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  and  his  name  is  found  appended  to  many  documents  affecting  New  Jersey. 
—Ed. 


LORD  CORNBURY S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1T04 


.vj 


Letter  from  Colonel  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col:  Doc’ts,  Vol.  TV..  p.  1082.1 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  Conmiissioners 
for  Trade  and  Plantations. 

Right  Hon1 'If  (Extract) 

The  Assembly  at  New  York  are  now  sitting.  I 
hope  before  this  fleet  sailes  to  give  your  Lordships  an 
account  of  what  they  have  done,  his  Excellency  My 
Lord  Cornbury  designs  as  soon  as  they  rise  to  hasten 
up  to  Albany  to  settle  the  Frontiers,  and  in  order  to  it 
he  hath  adjourned  the  Assembly  of  the  Jerseys  from 
the  20  of  May  to  the  20  of  June,  at  which  time  I 
resolve  to  attend  his  Excellency  at  Burlington  where 
the  Assembly  are  to  sitt;  I need  not  tell  your  Lord- 
ships  of  how  great  a consequence  the  effectual  securing 
of  the  five  Nations,  and  the  frontiers  of  Albany  is  to 
her  Majesty’s  service  and  the  General  good,  not  only 
of  that  Province  but  even  of  all  her  Majesty’s  Govern- 
ments on  the  Main.  I am  very  confident  that  my  Lord 
Cornbury  will  do  all  that  is  in  his  power,  but  I fear  it 
is  impossible  for  the  people  of  that  Province  under 
their  present  circumstances  to  support  the  charge  of  * 
it.  1 doe  very  well  know  that  the  inhabitants  of  New 
York  are  suppose  to  be  very  rich  people,  but  in  reality 
they  are  not,  its  true  they  had  formerly  a very  great 
trade  and  gott  abundance  of  money  the  last  war,  when 
we  had  a Trade  with  the  Spaniards,  besides  fchey  had 
a very  proffitable  tho  an  unlawfull  Trade  to  and  from 
Madagascar  besides  the  advantage  of  several  Privateers 


1704]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  53 

and  Pirates  bringing  great  quantities  of  money  and 
goods,  amonst  them,  all  of  which  is  gone  to  pay  their 
Creditors  in  England  and  have  very  little  left  amongst 
them,  they  have  had  very  great  losses  this  war  both 
going  and  coming  from  England,  and  besides  vast 
losses  in  the  West  Indies,  their  Trade  is  in  effect  quite 
gon  the  produce  of  the  Country  is  of  little  or  noe 
value,  nor  is  there  any  markett  for  it  any  where  so 
that  on  the  whole  matter,  I do  assure  your  Lordships 
that  their  circumstances  are  very  low,  and  yet  the 
charge  of  the  Government  is  much  higher  than  it  used 
to  be,  and  their  neighbours  less  able  to  supply  them 
than  ever  as  I will  briefly  lay  before  your  Lordships. 
******  I will  begin  with  the  Jerseys,  who 
are  able  to  supply  their  Quota  of  men,  and  subsist 
them,  tho  mony  is  very  scarce  amonst  them,  yet  that 
wrant  may  be  answered  by  the  produce  of  the  Country, 
his  Excellency  my  Lord  Cornbury  very  well  knows 
how  to  manage  that  point,  but  there  is  a fatall  obsticle 
which  I fear  will  mine  all  the  hopes  of  being  supply’d 
with  men  from  hence,  which  is  this,  when  the  people 
of  Jersey,  find  that  their  next  neighbour  of  Pennsyl- 
vania do  neither  supply  the  Quota  in  men  or  money 
they  will  think  it  very  hard  that  they  must  be  under 
worse  circumstances  under  her  Majesty’s  Government, 
than  their  fellow  subjects  are  under  a Proprietor,  but 
this  is  not  the  worst  for  those  that  are  sent  on  this 
Expedition  are  generally  single  men,  and  rather  than 
fare  worse  than  their  next  neighbours  will  leave  the 
Country  and  go  to  Pennsylvania,  there  being  only  a 
river  that  parts  the  two  Provinces  by  which  means  her 
Majestys  Service  will  be  defeated  her  Province  depopu- 
lated, and  Mr  Penns  country  filled  with  her  subjects, 
who  at  present  are  useless  to  her;  This  I can  assure 
your  Lordships  will  be  the  consequence,  and  is  already 
in  every  mans  mouth,  if  we  cannot  live  and  enjoy  the 
same  quiet  and  privilege  as  they  do  in  Pennsylvania, 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


.34 


[1704 


we  will  goe  and  live  there  and  turne  Quakers,  that  we 
may  be  the  better  entituled  to  their  priviledges,  this 
will  be  the  certain  consequence. 


Right  Honble 

Your  Lordships 

Most  obedient  humble  Serv1 2 * * * * 
Rob!  Quaky  ' 


Virginia  May  30,  1704. 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade.7 

[From  a copy  in  the  West  Jersey  Papers  of  James  Alexander,  p.  144.  | 

14  June  1704 

[Extract.] 

The  Gen11  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  mett  for  yL*  first 
time  at  Perth- Amboy  in  ye  E[astern]  Devision  of  New 
Jersey,  & here  1 must  first  observe  jt  ye  Qualification 
prescribed  in  my  instructions  for  ye  persons  whoe  are 
to  Elect  & to  be  Elected  will  nott  be  advantageous  for 
yl  Province,  ye  Effects  yl  have  attended  yl  way  of 
Electing  are  these;  first,  severall  persons  well  qualified 
to  Serve  could  nott  be  Elected  becaus  they  had  nott 
1000  acres  of  Land  tho  att  ye  same  time  they  had  twice 
yu  value  of  that  Land  in  money  & goods  they  being 
trading  men;  on  ye  other  hand  Some  when  Chosen 
becaus  they  haue  1000  acres  of  Land  & att  ye  same 
time  haue  nott  20?  in  money  driue  no  trade  & Can 
neither  Read  nor  wriglit  nay  they  cannott  answer  a 
question  yl  is  asked  them  of  this  Sort  nor  haue  to  in  yc 


1 For  notice  of  Colonel  Quary  see  Vol.  II.,  p.  280.— Ed. 

2 This  letter  does  not  appear  among  the  New  York  Colonial  Documents,  nor  lias  it 

been  met  with  in  the  Public  Record  Office  in  England.  The  copy  from  which  it  is  here 

printed  is  very  defective  in  its  orthography  and  punctuation,  but  is  thought  to  be 

otherwise  correct,  excepting  in  a few  instances  where  the  meaning  is  obscure  from 

defective  orthography  .—Ed. 


LORD  CORNBURY*S  ADMINISTRATION. 


00 


1704] 


Assembly,  j-  next  Inconvenience  yl  ye  people  Com- 
plaine  of  in  this  way  of  Electing  is  y*  there  being  10 
members  to  be  Chosen  for  Each  Division  itt  may  so 
happen  yl  all  be  dwellers  in  one  Countie  & yc  more 
lickly  to  be  soe  because  ye  Election  is  made  butt  in  one 
Countie  & tho’  ye  Election  has  been  appointed  as  near 
as  could  be  in  ye  Center  of  Each  Division  yet  a very 
great  number  of  People  Could  not  Come  to  ye  Election 
because  some  had  about  100  Miles  to  travel!  others 
wear  afraid  of  ye  Charges  Especially  ye  Road  being 
very  bad  in  most  places  where  any  are  made,  now  I 
humbly  Concieve  y*  these  Inconveniences  may  all  be 
prevented  If  his  Majestie  would  he  Graciously  pleased 
to  alter  yc  Qualification  of  ye  persons  Chusing  I believe 
it  would  tend  very  much  to  ye  Service  of  his  Majastie 
& would  be  a Gener11  Satisfaction  to  ye  Countrey 
The  Assembly  mett  at  Amboy  yc  10  V1  8r  I then 
Recomended  to  them  setting  off  Revenue  for  yw  Sup- 
port of  ye  Govern1  yc  setling  yc  Militia  ye  passing  an 
act  to  settel  & Confirm  ye  Estats  of  all  prop1?  & pur- 
chers  of  Lands  in  New- Jersey,  accordingly  they  did 
prepare  a bill  under  that  title,  I shall  make  some 
observations  vpon  some  of  ye  Clauses  thereof,  I shall 
begin  with  y*  Claues  in  which  is  Enacted  yfc  this  Con- 
firmation shall  be  an  Effectuall  title  in  ye  law  for  ye  sd 
propvs  & purchers  their  heirs  & assigns  to  haue  hold 
possess  & Enjoy  every  part  of  ye  aboue  recited  tract  of 
Land  &c:  As  soone  as  this  bill  had  beene  once  Read  by 
ye  Gen?  of  ye  Councill  Severall  P’sons  P’tioned  to  be 
heard  by  their  Counsell  against  ye  bill  Setting  forth  yl 
if  itt  passed  as  itt  was  greatt  numbers  of  people  woud 
be  Devested  of  their  Estats  to  which  they  thought  they 
had  as  Good  a title  as  ye  Propr18  y?  first  people  yt  Came 
to  be  heard  were  ye  people  of  Elizabeth-toun  whoe  Sett 
[said?]  that  they  have  a grantt  of  ye  Land  they  possess 
from  Co11  Nicolls  who  was  yc  first  Gover?  sent  into 
these  parts  by  his  Royal  Highness  ye  then  duke  of 


LOUD  COKNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


56 

York  iSc  yl  as  this  Clause  is  needed  they  Conceive  y* 
they  should  be  devested  of  these  Lands  yc  case  as  it 
appears  to  mee  stands  thus,  Coll.  Nicolls  Coming  into 
these  parts  found  ve  people  of  New- York  refractory  & 
nott  inclinable  to  Submitt  to  him  butt  found  ye  people 
of  Eliz:  town  ready  to  obey  his  orders  in  all  things  by 
which  means  ye  people  of  New -York  became  tractable 
& did  Submitt  Coll  Nicolls  thought  himself e obliged  to 
do  some  thing  for  ye  people  of  Eliz:  town  yl  might  be 
a reward  for  their  fidelity  A:  vpon  \rt  Consideration 
Granted  them  ye  Lands  thav  now  hold  Indeed  itt  doth 
appear  yl  his  Royall  highness  ye  then  duke  of  york  did 
Grant  vnto  my  Ld  Berkly  & Sr  George  Carteret  all  yl 
tract  of  Land  Known  by  ye  name  of  New- Jersey  & yc 
Ducks  Grant  being  dated  as  near  as  I Can  Remember 
A month  or  6 weekes  befor  Coll  Nicolls  Grantt  vpon 
this  ve  P’sent  proprirs  P’tend  yl  Coll.  Nicolls  Grant  is 
void  & yl  ye  people  of  Eliz:  town  shall  ho]d  their  Lands 
of  them  vnder  ve  same  Quitt  Rents  which  they  haue 
from  other  p’sons  to  whome  they  haue  sold  Lands 
since;  on  y?  other  hand  ye  people  of  Ehz:  town  Insist 
y*  Coll.  Nicols  grant  to  them  is  good  because  (they  say) 
hee  had  power  from  ye  Duke  to  grant  & yl  his  Grant 
was  made  before  hee  could  Know  y*  ve  Duke  had 
granted,  thay  further  Insisted  yr  if  a grant  of  that 
nature  is  sett  aside  itt  will  not  be  safe  for  any  man  to 
make  any  Improvenfi  vpon  any  Land  obtained  by 
Grant  from  any  Govern*  in  these  parts  nor  to  purchas 
any  Lands  from  any  trustee  agent  or  Attorney  for  any 
p’son  In  England  they  say  they  ought  to  pay  their 
Quit  Rents  to  ve  Crown  if  ye  Queen  is  willing  to  give 
that  to  ye  propr?  they  are  willing  to  pay  to  them  butt 
Insist  thay  ought  to  pay  noe  more  quit  Rents  then  was 
Reserved  in  Nicolls  pattent  y?  next  are  y*  people  of 
Woodbridge  who  say  y*  thay  had  a Charter  granted 
them  by  Philip  Carteritt  who  was  ye  first  Governr  sent 
ouer  by  my  Ld  berkly  & S1  George  Carterett  & they 


1704]  LORD  CORXBURY'S  ADMINISTRATION.  57 

say  yl  this  Claues  will  ouerthrow  yl  Charter  Indeed  I 
liaue  seen  y*  Charter  & do  think  y*  it  ouerthrows  itt 
Selfe. 

The  next  Claues  Enacted  yl  this  prsent  Confirmation 
is  hereby  declared  & shall  forever  hereafter  be  deemed 
taken  & Esteemed  as  a full  Sufficient  vailed  & Effect- 
ual title  in  ye  Law  for  ye  Severall  & respective  proprs 
purchers  Ac:  & Afterwards  Enacted  yl  all  others  proprs 
purchers  &c  Who  haue  as  yet  neglected  or  delayed  to 
take  up  their  respective  shares  & p’portions  that  bee  & 
are  hereby  oblidged  to  take  their  Equall  proportions 
out  of  ye  said  Lands  Remaining  &c  Nott withstanding 
of  their  or  any  of  them  being  Joynt  tennants  or 
tenants  in  Common  or  any  other  Cause  matter  or 
thing  in  ye  Law  whatsever  these  to  [two]  Last  Claues 
are  very  on  just  in  themselves  for  thay  are  Contrived 
both  for  ye  Same  Ends  Jvst  to  Confirm  ye  Injuries 
some  people  here  haue  don  to  others  In  England  by 
making  that  good  In  Law  which  is  nott  so  in  itt  selfe 
& then  by  a Law  to  Oblidge  ye  people  Injured  to  be 
Content  with  ye  Injuries  they  have  Received,  y*  this 
would  be  ye  Consequence  of  those  to  [two]  Claues  will 
appear  very  plaine  if  your  Ldshipps  are  pleased  to  Con- 
sider yl  ye  prsent  proprer;s  of  ye  Northern  Division  of 
New  Jersey  by  their  purches  from  Ld  Barkley  are  ten- 
nants in  Common  now’  here  is  a Claues  to  breake  y* 
In  Common  with  Respect  to  these  Gentlemen  in  Eng- 
land Whoe  haue  not  yet  thought  fitt  to  Com  into 
America  themselves  nor  send  any  one  to  take  up 
their  shares  and  yT  without  their  Knowledge  ye  truth 
of  ye  matter  is  y*  these  proprierf  who  are  come  hither 
haue  taken  vp  all  ye  best  of  ye  Land  A yl  which  lies 
most  Convinient  for  trade  so  yl  those  in  England  must 
be  Content  If  this  bill  had  passed  to  take  their  shares 
in  ye  mountains  this  I did  nott  thinke  att  all  Reasonable 
& Endevered  as  much  as  I could  with  ye  persons  Who 
I thought  had  ye  most  Interest  amongs  ye  members 


58 


LORD  CORXBCRY’S  A D.MIXISTRAl  ION. 


[1T04 


of  yc  Assembly  A Councill  to  Convence  them  of  ye 
unreasonableness  of  that  bill  as  it  then  stood  I told 
them  Severall  of  y*  Objections  I had  to  itt  y*  they 
might  gett  them  amended  before  ye  bill  Came  to  mee 
but  as  it  was  Contrived  to  answer  private  Ends  it  was 
Impossable  to  get  them  to  depart  from  those  Claues. 

The  next-  Claues  Enacted  v*  all  shars  parts  p' portions 
Ac.  y£  haue  been  designed  [devised Released  Granted 
Ac:  Sence  ve  of  febr:  1682  within  ye  Esterly  De vi- 
sion of  New  Jersey  Ac:  is  hereby  declared  A shall 
forever  hereafter  to  be  taken  deemed  A Esteemed  a 
good  vallied  A sufficient  title  in  ye  Law  note  withstand- 
ing want  of  form  or  any  other  matter  Cause  or  thing 
In  ye  Law  whatsoever,  Soe  vl  If  any  mans  Estate  has 
been  Conveyed  away  to  an  other  (as  I am  afrayd  itt 
hath  been  don)  why  y1  Conveyance  was  to  be  Con- 
firmed & made  vallid  in  Law  as  well  as  many  others 
without  Ever  produiceing  once  to  show  ye  necessity  of 
such  a Claues. 

The  next  Claues  I shall  take  notice  of  is  ye  Last 
Claues  by  which  itt  is  Enacted  yl  all  and  Every  por- 
tackler  tract  of  Land  formerly  Granted  by  my  Lord 
Barkley  A Sr  George  Carterett  or  by  their  Goverr  & 
Councill  of  New  Jersey  vnder  ye  Conron  Seale  thereof 
or  by  their  agents  or  attorneys  Conforme  to  ye  powers 
Concessions  and  Instructions  to  them  given  by  ye  said 
John  Ld  Barkly  or  [and]  Sr  George  Carterett  or  Either 
of  them  are  hereby  rattified  assured  A Confirmed  to 
each  A every  of  ye  Respective  Granttees  A this  Clause 

att  a first  sight  seems  to a faire  law,  butt  it 

is  In  reallity  a very  111  Clause  itt  seems  to  Confirm  to 
the  Grantees  their  Estate  but  itt  is  only  such  as  haue 
been  Granted  Conforme  ye  powers  Concessions  A 
Instructions  given  by  my  Ld  Barkley  A Sr  George  Car- 
terett or  Either  of  them  to  their  Goverr  A every  body 
here  Knowes  y*  these  Gover?  never  acquainted  ye  peo- 
ple with  their  powers,  now  only  Published  their  Com- 


LORD  CORXBURY S ADMINISTRATION. 


i;o4] 


•V.» 


■issions  soe  that  those  ....  who  purched  from  those 
Grover?  are  now  to  be  Devest  of  yr  Lands  they  have 
honestly  paid  for  & haue  Improved  with  great  Expence 
& labour  & industry  (vnlest  they  will  p’ches  them 
againe  from  y*  prsent  proprie?)  because  their  Grants 
or  Conveyances  are  nott  Confer  me  to  ye  Powers  Con- 
cessions & Instructions  given  by  La  Barkely  & Sr 
George  Carterett  or  one  of  them  (which  Indeed  very  few 
of  ve  Grantees  are)  but  att  ye  Same  time  yc  purchasers 
Know  nothing  att  all  of  those  Instructions  nor  what 
they  Contained  If  they  had  it  is  Reasonable  to  believe 
they  would  have  Conformed  themselves  to  them 
because  itt  is  very  naturall  for  Every  man  to  Desire  as 
good  a title  to  ye  Estate  hee  purchases  as  hee  Can 

The  next  I shall  take  notice  of  ai*e  the  Last  Claues 
in  ye  10th  & 11th  page  ve  first  is  to  Impower  ye  propri?v 
Joynly  or  Severaly  by  themselves  or  their  Receiver 
Generali  or  their  agents  or  attornies  or  Servants  to 
make  destrest  for  none  paym!  of  Quit  Rents  At  this  is 
to  be  done  by  them  or  theire  Servants  without  taking 
any  notice  of  any  Ma  jest  rats  or  any  officers  in  vc 
Gover!  butt  because  they  never  told  y*  was  called  a 
littell  to  fan*,  ye  next  Claues  is  to  qualifie  itt  & there 

itt  is yfc  all  ye  Respective  Shriffes  [Sheriffs] 

& Constables  shall  forever  hereafter  (being  Required 
thereto  by  ve  s'1  Prop1'9  &c)  he  aiding  & assisting  to 
make  such  distrest  as  aforesaid,  this  to  be  don  by  ye 
Shrieffe  or  Constable  without  any  warr?  from  any 
Justice  of  ye  peace  or  any  body  Else  butt  Ex  office  & 
att  ye  Request  of  any  Servantt  of  A proprir  when 
pimps  yc  Attorney  may  know  nothing  of  the  matter. 

The  Last  Claues  in  ve  12th  page  Enacts  vl  all  tracts  of 
Land  belonging  to  prop?  beyond  yc  Seas  or  within  any 
of  ye  Neighbouring  Collones  Which  have  been  sold  by 
theire  agent  or  attorney  since  ye  first  of  febr:  1082  by 
vertue  of  Letters  of  agency  or  of  attorney  such  Sales 
are  hereby  Declared  & shall  for  Ever  hereafter  be 


60  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1704 

Deemed  & Esteemed  a good  Sufficient  & vallid  title  in 
ye  Law,  this  I contest  is  a very  necessary  Claues  for 

some  people  as  ye stands  for  Great  tracts  of 

Land  haue  beene  sold  by  Agents  without  ye  Knowledge 
& Contrary  to  ye  Intrust  of  ye  owners  & sometimes 
Contrary  to  their  Directions  so  y*  If  there  is  nott  some 
Claues  of  this  Natture,  now  y*  ye  Land  begins  to  take 
itts  proper  Course  ye  right  owners  may  Recouer  their 
owne  again,  Which  will  be  noe  small  Lift  to  some 
persons  here  who  have  beene  agents  for  persons  In 
England  & haue  Combinded  with  other  persons  how 
to  Cheat  & Defraud  their  Employers. 


Circular  Letter  of  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Governors  of 
Plantations , relative  to  information  conveyed 
through  French  Vessels. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  Plantations  General,  No. '32,  Entry  Book  C,  p.  470.] 

Circular  Letter  to  ye  Sevu  Govrs  in  America 
relating  to  Intellig06  had  in  French  by 
Lett1’.8  taken  on  Board  Ships  coming  from 
the  Plantation  A1 

My  Lord 

Her  Majesty  having  been  Informed  yl  Intelligence 
has  been  had  in  France  of  the  state  of  the  Plantations 
by  Letters  from  private  Psons  to  their  Correspondents 
in  England  taken  on  Board  Ships  coming  from  the 
Plantations,  & Carryed  into  France,  which  may  be  of 
dangerous  consequence,  if  not  prevented  for  the  future; 
It  is  therefore  Her  Majesties  pleasure,  That  your  Lord- 


1 This  Letter  to  Lord  Cornbury  Coll:  Dudley  Coll:  Seymour  and  Coll:  Nicholson 
was  sent  inclosed  in  a Letter  from  the  Sec’ry  to  Coll  Dudley  of  the  11th  July  1704, 


1704]  LORD  CORNBURY*S  ADMINISTRATION.  61 

ships  signify  to  all  Merchants  Planters  and  others,  that 
they  be  very  Cautious  in  giving  any  Account  hv 
Letters  of  the  publick  State  and  Condition  of  the 
Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  undr  your 
Governments;  and  your  Lordship  is  further  to  give 
Directions  to  all  Masters  of  Ships,  or  other  Persons  to 
whom  you  may  intrust  your  Letters,  that  they  put 
such  Letters  into  a Bagg  with  a sufficient  weight,  to 
sink  the  same  immediatly  in  Case  of  imminent  danger 
from  the  Enemy,  and  your  Lordship  is  also  to  let  the 
MerclP8  and  Planters  know,  how  greatly  it  is  for  their 
Interest  that  their  Letters  should  not  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Enemy;  And  therefore  that  they  should 
give  the  like  Orders  to  the  Masters  of  ships  in  relation 
to  their  Letters;  And  your  Lordship  is  further  to 
advise  all  Mastr.8  of  ships  that  they  do  sink  all  Letters 
in  Case  of  danger  in  the  manner  before  mentioned. 

We  are 

My  Lord 

Whitehall  June  ) Your  Lordships  most  humble 
the  29t.h  1704.  \ Servants. 

Robert  Cecill 
Ph:  Meadows 
John  Pollexfen 
Mat:  Prior 


An  Order  of  Council , referring  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
a petition  from  Peter  Sonmans  and  Win.  Dock- 
wra , about  the  title  to  Staten  Island. 

LFrora  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1 A,  18.] 

An  Order  of  Council  of  the  6*?  Ins*  referring  to 
this  Board  ye  Petition  of  Peter  Sonmans  & 


LORD  rORNRURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


62 


[1704 


Wm  Dockwra  &c  relating  to  their  Title  to 
the  Island  of  Staten  in  New  Jersey  &c 
Reed  July  lO1*  1704. 

*— * At  the  Court  at  S*  James’s  the  6th  day 
-j  l.  s.  j of  July  1704. 

*— ■— * Present, 

The  Queens  most  Excellent  Mat.t  in  Councill. 

Upon  reading  this  day  at  the  Board  the  Petition  of 
Peter  Sonmans  and  William  Dockwra  for  themselves 
and  the  rest  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Division 
of  the  Province  of  Nova  Csesaria  or  New  Jersey  in 
America,  relating  to  the  Island  of  Staten,  which  the 
Governor  of  New  Yorke  pretends  to,  in  Right  and  for 
the  use  of  Her  Maty  and  keeps  Possession  thereof,  and 
praying  that  Directions  be  given  for  the  hearing  and 
finaly  Determining  of  that  matter.  It  is  ordered  by 
Her  Maty  in  Councill  That  it  be,  as  it  is  hereby  Re- 
ferred to  the  Lords  Comm?  of  Trade  and  Plantations 
to  Examine  the  matter  of  the  said  Petition,  a Copy 
whereof  is  hereunto  annexed,  and  upon  hearing  the 
Pet^  and  others  concerned,  to  Report  to  this  Board, 
what  they  conceive  fitt  for  Her  Ma*y  to  do  thereupon. 

John  Povey. 


To  the  Queens  most  Excellent  Majesty 
The  humble  Petition  of  Peter  Sonmans  and  William 
Dockwra  for  themselves  and  the  rest  of  ye  Proprietors 
of  the  Eastern  Division  of  the  Province  of  Nova 
Caesarea  or  New  Jersey  in  America. 

Shewetk 

That  his  late  Ma?  King  Charles  the  Second  by  his 
Letters  Patents  bearing  date  the  29*h  of  June  in  the 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


63 


1 704] 


26?  Year  of  his  Reign,  for  the  Considerations  therein 
mentioned  did  Grant  and  Confirm  unto  James  Earl  of 
Perth,  Sf  George  Meckenz,  Rob1  Berkley  Argent [Arent] 
Sonmans,  W“  Dockwra  and  others  their  Heirs  and  as- 
signs for  ever  that  part  of  the  aforesaid  Lands  which 
then  was  and  ever  since  till  very  lately  has  been  called 
by  the  name  of  East  New  Jersey  Extending  Eastward 
and  Northward  all  along  the  Sea  Coast,  and  Hudsons 
River  from  little  Egg  Harbour  to  that  part  of  Hudsons 
River  which  is.  in  41  Degrees  of  North  Latitude  and 
otherways  bounded  and  Limitted  as  in  the  said  Grant 
and  Confirmation  as  expressed  with  all  Islands,  Bays, 
Rivers  &c-  to  the  same  belonging  or  in  anywise  apper- 
taining within  which  said  boundary  lyes  an  Island 
called  Staten  Island. 

That  Your  Matys  Governor  of  New  Yorke  pretends 
in  right  and  for  the  use  of  Your  Ma^  to  Claime  the 
said  Island  and  keeps  Possession  thereof,  and  tlib. 
Your  Pet?  by  Councell  Learned  in  the  Law  are  advised 
they  have  an  undoubted  Right  to  the  said  Island,  yet 
out  of  their  great  duty  and  Deference  to  your  Ma?  doe 
restrain  themselves  from  taking  any  other  method  for 
Recovery  thereof  than  by  humble  Representation  of 
their  Case  for  your  Ma1?9  most  Gracious  Pleasure  and 
Direction  therein,  to  which  your  Pet?  shall  most 
Readily  and  Intirely  Submitt. 

Your  Pet?  therefore  most  humbly  pray  That  Your 
Maty  will  be  Graciously  pleased  to  give  such  Orders 
and  Directions  for  the  hearing  and  finall  determining 
of  this  matter  as  your  Maty  in  your  great  Justice  and 
wisdome  shall  think  fitt. 

And  Yor  Petr.9  (as  in  duty  bound)  shall  ever  pray  &ca 

Peter  Sonmans 
W?  Dockwra 


64 


LORD  CORXBURY'S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1704 


Commissioners  for  New  York , New  Jersey  and  Con- 
necticut. 

(From  P R.  O.  B.  T.  Plantations  Generali.  Yol.  32.  page  497.  | 

Co’missionrs  for  New  Yorke  New  Jersey  & 
Connecticut.  1704  July  the  13V1 

The  Right  Honble  the  Lord  Cornbury  Her  Majesties 
Cap1  Generali  & Governour  in  Chief  of  Her  Majesties 
Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  in  America, 
and  the  Governour  or  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 
Provinces  of  New  Yorke  and  New  Jersey  for  the  time 
being. 

Richard  Ingoldsby  Esqr  Lieuten?  Governour  of  the 
Province  of  New  York  & New  Jersey,  and  the  Lieu- 
tenant Govr  or  Lieutenant  Governours  of  the  said 
Provinces  for  the  time  being. 

The  Governour  of  Her  Majesties  Colony  of  Co'necti- 
cut  for  the  tune  being. 

The  Vice  Admiral  or  Vice  Admirals  of  the  Provinces 
of  New  York  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut  for  the  time 
being. 

New  York. 

William  Smith.  Peter.  Schuyler,  Sampson  Shelton 
Broughton,  Wolfgang  Will"1  Romer,  William  Laurence 
Gerardus  Berkman  Ripvan  Dam,  John  Bridges.  Caleb 
Heathcote,  Thomas  Wenham,  Mathew  Ling  Killian 
Van  Ranslaer  Esqrs  Membrs  of  Her  Majesties  Councill 
in  the  Province  of  N York  during  their  being  of  Her 
Majtys  said  Councill  and  the  Membrs  of  Her  Majesties 
Councill  in  the  said  Province  for  the  time  being. 

New  Jersey. 

The  Councellors  of  New  Jersey  viz1  Lewis  Morris, 
Andrew  Bowne,  Samuell  Jennings.  Thomas  Revell 


1704]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  65 

Francis  Davenport,  William  Pinhorn,  George  Deacon, 
Samuell  Walker,  Daniel  Leeds,  Will"1  Sandford  and 
Robert  Quary  Esqrs  Members  of  Her  Majesties  Coimcill 
in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  during  their  being  of 
Her  Majesties  said  Councill,  and  the  Members  of  Her 
Majesties  Councill  in  the  said  Province  for  the  time 
being. 

The  Chief  Justice  or  Chief  Justices  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey  for  the  time  being. 

The  Judge  or  Judges  of  the  Vice  Admiralty  in  the 
Provinces  of  New  York  New  Jersey,  and  Connecticut 
for  the  time  being. 

The  Captains  and  Commanders  of  Her  Majesties 
Ships  of  War  within  the  Admiralty  Jurisdiction  of  the 
Provinces  of  New  York  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut 
for  the  time  being. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Province  of  New  York  for  the 
time  being. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  for  the 
time  being. 

The  Receiver  of  Her  Majesties  Revenue  in  the 
Province  of  New  York  for  the  time  being. 

The  Surveyor  Generali  of  Her  Majesties  Customes  in 
America  for  the  time  being. 


Letter  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 
about  New  Jersey  affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  5.J 

Letter  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board. 

New  York  9ber  the  4th  1704 

My  Lords 

I trouble  your  Lordshipps  with  these  lines  to  acquaint 

5 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


GO 


[1704 


you  that  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  met  on  the  first 
day  of  7ber,  to  which  time  I had  adjourned  them  by 
Proclamation.  I was  in  hopes  they  would  have  done 
what  might  have  been  expected  from  them,  but  instead 
of  that  they  fell  upon  their  Proprietors  Bill  again,  and 
never  brought  in  any  Bill  to  settle  a Revenue,  till  soe 
late  that  they  knew  I could  not  stay  to  passe  it,  because 
I was  to  meet  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  besides  the 
sum  was  not  suitable  to  the  occasion,  for  they  proposed 
to  settle  noe  more  then  a thousand  pounds  a year,  and 
but  for  three  years,  indeed  at  last  they  would  have 
made  it  fifteen  hundred  pounds  a year,  but  I saw  very 
plainly  that  they  did  not  intend  to  doe  anything,  soe 
upon  the  28th  of  7 ber  I disolved  that  Assembly,  and  in 
a few  days  after  I issued  writs  for  the  calling  of 
another,  which  I hope  will  doe  better  then  the  Last, 
they  are  to  meet  the  ninth  of  this  month  at  Burling- 
ton, I intend  in  two  days  to  set  out  for  that  place, 
though  it  is  very  late  in  the  year.  I take  the  liberty 
to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  the  Quakers  in  West 
Jersey  interupt  the  proceedings  in  Courts  of  Judicature 
very  much,  for  now  they  find  that  they  are  admitted 
into  all  manner  of  employments  without  taking  of 
oaths,  their  consciences  are  soe  tender  that  they  can’t 
suffer  an  oath  to  be  taken  in  their  presence  soe  that 
either  Quakers  must  not  be  admitted  to  sit  in  Courts  of 
Judicature,  or  else  all  causes  must  be  tried  by  Jurys 
who  have  taken  noe  oaths,  and  upon  the  Evidence  of 
witnesses  not  sworn,  I think  it  would  be  much  more 
for  the  service  of  the  Queen  that  none  should  be 
admitted  into  employments  but  those  who  are  willing 
to  take  the  oaths;  the  people  in  New  Jersey  seem  un- 
easy at  the  quallifications  prescribed  for  persons  to 
serve  in  the  Assembly,  they  could  rather  wish  that 
each  County  might  send  two,  and  I am  of  opinion  we 
should  have  better  Assemblys  if  it  were  soe,  then  we 
have  now,  however  I shall  be  able  by  the  next  Vessell 


1704] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


6 


that  sails  from  hence  to  give  your  Lordshipps  an 
account  what  the  New  Assembly  will  doe,  in  the  mean 
time  I remain  with  great  respect 
My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  very  faithfull  humble  servant 


Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldesby , to  Lord  Cornbury. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  4,  p.  1164.] 

New  York  12th  November  1704 

My  Lord 

As  soon  as  the  inclosed  came  to  my  hands  and  I 
found  it  directed  in  Her  Maties  service,  I gott  together 
the  gentlemen  of  the  Councill  wTho  were  in  town,  and 
opened  the  same.  I believed  your  Excellency  would 
find  it  difficult  to  find  any  one  at  Burlington  to  trans- 
late the  inclosed  letter,  that  is  in  Dutch.  I therefore 
herewith  send  the  translation  of  it.  I design  not  to 
leave  this  place  untill  the  return  of  the  messenger  who 
is  sent  express  on  this  occasion.  I am,  My  Lord 

Your  Excellencies  most  obedient  Servant 


LORD  CORXBUITCs  ADMINISTRATION". 


6S 


[1704 


Lord  Cora  bury  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldesby. 

Burlington  November  15  1704 
Sir 

Yours  of  the  12th  Instant  came  to  my  hands  last 
night,  and  it  was  no  small  surprise  to  me  to  find  by  it 
that  you  had  opened  a letter  directed  to  me,  when  you 
had  no  instruction  from  me  to  do  it;  if  I had  thought 
fitt  to  have  left  you  at  New  York  in  the  managm1  of 
that  governin',  I would  have  left  you  proper  Instruc- 
tions for  that  purpose;  but  you  know  very  well  that  I 
have  appointed  your  station  in  this  place.  Indeed  you 
desired  that  you  might  stay  a day  or  two  after  me, 
because  of  the  inconveniency  of  the  inns  upon  the  road, 
which  I readily  consented  to,  expecting  you  would 
have  followed  me;  but  seeing  you  doe  not,  I hereby 
require  you  forthwith  to  repaire  to  your  duty  here; 
that  1 may  not  have  occasion  to  accuse  you  of  breach  of 
orders.  I expect  you  comply  with  this  order  imediately 
upon  the  receipt  of  this.  I am,  Sir 
Col.  Ingoldesby.  Your  humble  Servant 

Cornbury 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
abou  t Ne  w Jersey  Affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1 B 13.) 

Lre  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board  ; 

New  York  february  19th  1704-5 

My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  letter  of  the  23d  of  May  1704  came 
to  my  hands  on  the  15th  of  10ber  at  Amboy,  in  which 


1705]  LORD  CORXBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  09 

you  are  pleased  to  say,  you  daily  expect  the  particular 
account  of  the  affairs  of  New  Jersey,  which  I promised 
to  your  Lordship ps  by  my  letter  of  the  18th  of  10ber 
1703;  by  web  I perceive  my  letter  of  the  14rth  of  January 
17oJ  is  not  come  to  your  hands;  I returned  from  New 
Jersey  to  this  City  on  the  14th  10bM  1703,  and  hearing 
the  Centurion  was  not  sailed  from  Boston,  and  the 
Post  being  just  ready  to  goe  away,  I stopt  him  long- 
enough  to  write  to  your  Lordshipps  that  Letter  of  the 
18th  of  10ber  1703,  about  a fortnight  after  that  hearing 
that  the  Centurion  had  had  a mischance  going  out 
from  Boston,  and  was  forced  to  return  into  Port  again, 
I wrote  the  letter  above  mentioned  of  the  IP1'  of  Janu- 
ary, 170j,  and  sent  it  to  Boston  in  hopes  it  would  come 
time  enough  to  reach  the  Ship  Centurion,  and  after 
that  I sent  a duplicate  of  it  to  Rhode  Island,  which 
was  put  on  board  a Vessell  going  for  England,  by  a 
Minister  who  had  promised  me  to  take  care  to  send  it 
by  the  first  Vessell  that  should  sail  from  Rhode  Island, 
or  Boston,  and  which  he  wrote  me  word  he  had  done, 
however  those  ways  being  very  uncertain  I did  send 
another  duplicate  of  that  letter  to  your  Lordships  by 
her  Majestys  Ship  Jersey,  which  I hope  is  come  to  your 
hands  before  this  time,  by  which  you  will  see  what 
was  done  at  Amboy  in  the  first  sessions  of  the  Assem- 
bly of  that  province;  and  in  another  letter  by  the  Ship 
Jersey  bearing  date  the  4th  day  of  9ber,  I did  acquaint 
you  with  what  had  passed  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Assembly  of  New  Jersey  at  Burlington  which  was  in 
7ber,  and  on  the  28th  of  that  month,  I did  dissolve  that 
Assembly,  and  Isued  Writs  to  call  another  Assembly 
to  sit  on  the  9th  day  of  9ber  at  which  time  they  met,  and 
passed  the  severall  Acts  following,  Viz1  An  Act  for 
raising  a Revenue  for  the  support  of  her  Majestys  Gov- 
ernment within  this  Province  of  New  Jersey  for  two 
years.  An  Act  for  uniting  and  quieting  the  minds  of 
alt  her  Majestys  Subiects  within  this  Province  of  New 


4<>  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

Jersey.  An  Act  for  altering  the  present  Constitution , 
and  Regulating  the  Election  of  Representatives  to  serve 
in  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Promnce  of  New  Jer- 
sey. An  Act  for  setting  the  Militia  of  this  Province. 
An  Act  for  laying  out  Regulating  clearing  & preserv- 
ing public,  common , highways  throughout  the  Province 
of  New  Jersey.  An  Act  for  the  suppressing  of  Immor- 
ality within  this  Province  of  New  Jersey.  An  Act 
for  Reviving  and  continuing  the  Courts  of  Quarter 
Sessions  and  Common  Pleas  in  the  Countys  of  Bergen. 
Middlesex  and  Monmouth , and  the  proceedings  of  the 
same.  An  Act  for  regulating  Negro , Indian  & Molatto 
slaves  within  this  Province  of  New  Jersey.  The  first 
of  these  Acts  is  what  the  last  Assembly  would  never 
have  past  unlesse  I would  have  past  their  Proprietor 
Bill  such  as  I sent  it  to  your  Lordshipps  by  the  Centu- 
rion first,  and  last  by  her  Majestys  Ship  Jersey,  when 
I first  saw  this  last  Bill,  I sent  for  one  of  the  Assembly 
whom  I thought  I could  more  freely  talk  with,  then 
the  rest  and  asked  him  what  was  the  reason  they  had 
given  the  Revenue  for  soe  short  a time,  he  answered 
me  very  readily  that  it  was  for  noe  other  reason,  but 
because  they  had  never  had  a Generali  Tax  through- 
out the  whole  Province,  and  that  they  could  make  noe 
manner  of  computation  what  the  Country  was  able  to 
bear,  that  this  would  be  a tryall  of  that,  and  that  if  I 
would  be  satisfied  with  this  Bill  for  the  present,  when 
they  saw  what  the  Country  would  be  able  to  bear,  they 
would  be  ready  to  settle  such  a Revenue  as  would 
effectually  answer  the  occasions  of  the  Government, 
this  being  soe  frankly  told  me,  and  considering  how 
stubborn  the  last  Assembly  had  been  upon  this  point, 
and  being  every  day  informed  that  the  Quakers 
bragged  that  there  should  be  noe  Revenue  setled,  that 
the  Queen  had  sent  them  a Gouvernor,  but  they  would 
keep  him  poor  enough;  these  and  such  like  reports 
were  spread  about  not  by  the  meanest  men  among 


1705]  lord  corNbury’s  administration.  71 

them  but  by  the  topping  leading  Quakers;  therefore  I 
thought  it  proper  to  let  that  Bill  passe,  and  intreat 
your  Lordshipps  to  recomend  it  to  her  Maiesty  for  her 
Rayall  Approbation;  the  second  is  an  Act  for  quieting 
the  minds  of  the  people,  this  I thought  a very  reason- 
able Bill,  because  it  will  put  an  effectual  end  to  many 
prosecutions  which  were  intended  to  have  been  carried 
on  in  New  Jersey,  against  some  persons  who  opposed 
Collonell  Hamilton’s  Gouvernment.  and  her  Maiesty 
having  qeen  pleased  to  command  me,  not  to  suffer  any 
proceedings  to  be  carried  on  against  any  persons  upon 
account  of  former  animositys,  I thought  this  would  he 
the  most  effectuall  Avay  to  answer  her  Maiestys  com- 
mands, espetially  since  Mr  Morris,  to  whom  the  Queen 
had  done  the  honour  to  make  him  one  of  her  Councill. 
was  very  warm  for  those  prosecutions,  as  appeared  the 
last  year,  that  he  prevailed  with  mr  Griffith,  the 
Attorney  Generali  of  New  Jersey,  to  preferr  a Bill  of 
Indictment  against  some  of  the  people  of  Elizabeth 
Towne.  for  a Riot  said  to  have  been  committed  during 
the  time  of  the  Gouvernment  of  Collonell  Hamilton, 
this  the  Attorney  Generali  was  prevailed  with  to  doe 
without  my  knowledge,  hut  a complaint  being  brought 
to  me  of  that  matter,  I directed  the  Atorney  Generali 
to  enter  a Noli  Prosequi,  which  he  did  accordingly;  it 
is  an  Act  which  will  make  the  people  easy,  therefore  I 
hope  the  Queen  will  be  pleased  to  confirm  it,  the  third 
is  an  Act  to  alter  the  manner  of  Electing  members  to 
serve  in  the  Generali  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  in  the 
15th  clause  of  my  Instructions,  her  Maiesty  is  pleased 
to  make  use  of  these  words,  (and  that  this  number  of 
Representatives  shall  not  be  enlarged,  or  diminished, 
or  the  manner  of  Electing  them  altered,  otherwise, 
then  by  an  Act,  or  Acts,  of  the  Generali  Assembly 
there,  and  confirmed  by  the  aprobation  of  us,  our  Heirs 
& successors,)  by  which  I suppose  the  Queen,  was 
gratiously  pleased  to  leave  it  to  the  consideration  of 


72  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  [1705 

those  whom  she  has  appointed  to  serve  her  Maiesty  in 
that  Province,  to  propose  a method  of  Electing  mem- 
bers to  serve  in  the  Generali  Assembly  there,  which 
may  be  more  advantagious  to  the  Queens  service,  and 
the  good  of  the  Country,  then  the  Regulation  contain- 
ed in  her  Maiesty’s  Instructions  to  me,  and  indeed  I am 
of  opinion  that  this  Act  will  answer  that  end.  for  the 
number  is  not  altered,  which  was  appointed  by  the 
Queen,  but  only  the  quallification,  and  the  method  of 
Electing,  by  which  means  we  shall  be  able  to  have  the 
men  of  the  best  substance  chosen,  for  as  I have  in- 
formed your  Lordshipps  by  a former  letter,  the  Landed 
men  are  not  the  men  of  the  greatest  substance  in  these 
parts  of  the  world,  I intreat  you  will  be  pleased  to 
intercede  with  the  Queen  that  this  Act  may  be  con- 
firmed. the  fourth  is  an  Act  to  settle  the  Militia,  this 
is  soe  necessary  an  Act  that  I hope  it  carries  reason 
enough  in  it’s  self  to  obtain  her  Maiestys  confirmation, 
the  fifth  is  An  Act  for  laying  out  and  preserving  high 
ways,  this  is  an  Act  of  absolute  necessity,  and  indeed 
without  An  Act  of  this  kind,  the  roads  in  New  Jersey 
would  in  a short  time  be  unpassable,  soe  I hope  that 
Act  will  be  confirmed,  the  sixth  is  an  Act  for  suppress- 
ing of  Immorality,  I wish  it  may  answer  the  intent,  if 
it  does,  it  will  be  the  best  Act  that  ever  was  passed,  I 
hope  it  needs  noe  farther  recommendation  to  get  it 
confirmed,  then  the  good  which  is  intended  by  it,  and 
certainly  there  is  great  need  of  it.  the  seaventh  is  an 
Act  for  reviving,  and  continuing,  the  Courts  of  Quarter 
Sessions,  & Common  Pleas,  in  the  County s of  Bergen, 
Midlesex,  and  Monmouth;  the  reason  for  passing  this 
Act  was,  because  those  Courts  hapned  to  fall  out  at 
the  time  that  the  Assembly  was  sitting  at  Burlington, 
and  the  Judges  of  those  Courts  are  Members  of  her 
Maiesty  Councill,  and  could  not  attend  the  Courts  at 
that  time,  soe  that  all  Causes  depending  would  have 
abated  to  the  preiudice  of  the  Partys  concerned,  had 


1 705 J LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  73 

not  such  an  Act  been  passed,  therefore  I hope  her 
Maiesty  will  be  pleased  to  confirm  it.  the  eighth  and 
last  of  these  Acts  is  an  Act  for  regulating  of  slaves, 
and  indeed  considering  the  situation  of  the  Province  of 
New  Jersey,  that  Act  is  absolutely  necessary,  and 
indeed  without  it,  it  will  be  impossible  to  keep  slaves 
in  any  Order,  for  if  a slave  is  punished  for  any  fault, 
he  will  run  away,  and  there  are  people  enough  who 
will  hide  them  to  have  the  benefit  of  their  labour  in 
the  mean  time,  to  the  greate  losse  of  the  owners,  and 
I hope  this  will  be  a means  to  prevent  both  that,  and 
their  thieving,  to  which  they  are  all  very  much 
addicted,  and  it  will  be  a great  help  to  the  Owners  of 
those  slaves,  who  now  very  often  loose  the  labours  of 
'their  slaves,  for  a month  together,  and  some  times 
longer,  therefore  I intreat  your  Lordshipps  to  intercede 
with  her  Maiesty,  that  this  Act  may  be  confirmed,  thus 
I have  given  your  Lordshipps  an  account  of  all  the 
Acts  of  Assembly  passed  in  the  Generali  Assembly  of 
New  Jersey  in  the  first  Sessions  of  the  New  Assembly, 
they  were  of  Course  to  have  held  them  next  Sessions 
at  Amboy,  but  we  find  by  experience  that  holding  the 
winter  Sessions  at  Burlington,  and  the  Spring  Sessions 
at  Amboy,  is  very  inconvenient,  soe  at  the  Request  of 
severall  persons  both  of  the  Councill,  and  Assembly,  I 
have  adiourned  the  Assembly  to  meet  the  next  time  at 
Burlington,  which  will  be  the  7th  of  April  next,  then 
the  next  time  they  will  meet  at  Amboy,  and  soe  alter- 
nately, unlesse  you  are  pleased  to  direct  otherwise. 
Now  I think  it  my  duty  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps 
that  M1  Lewis  Morris,  whom  the  Queen  was  pleased  to 
nominate  for  one  of  her  Maiestys  Councill  in  New  Jer- 
sey, has  behaved  himself  very  ill,  as  I think,  for  ever 
since  he  came  hither  from  England  he  has  endeavoured 
to  perswade  the  Proprietors  in  Jersey,  and  those  peo- 
„ pie  who  are  in  our  Interests,  that  the  Gouvernement 
was  surrendered  to  the  Queen  upon  certain  terms,  and 


74 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


conditions,  agreed  upon  before  the  Proprietors  would 
surrender,  being  informed  of  this  I sent  for  Mr  Morris, 
and  asked  him  how  he  came  to  raise  that  report,  which 
he  must  know  not  to  be  true,  for  that  if  any  such  thing 
had  been,  I should  certainly  have  been  informed  by 
your  Lordshipps,  and  by  the  Right  Honoble  the  Earle 
of  Nottingham  what  those  terms,  and  conditions,  were, 
that  I might  conform  myself  to  them,  and  that  since  I 
had  noe  such  directions,  there  eould  be  noe  such  thing, 
to  which  mr  Morris  replyd  that  it  was  true,  that  the 
Gouvernment  was  surrendered  upon  terms,  and  that 
if  they  could  not  have  obtained  those  terms,  they 
would  not  have  surrendred  at  all,  I desired  him  to 
shew  me  those  terms,  he  told  me  they  were  contained 
in  my  Instructions,  and  instanced  perticularly  the  15lh 
clause,  in  which  the  qualifications  of  persons  to  elect, 
and  be  elected,  are  contained,  and  said  that  was  one  of 
the  terms;  and  said  that  the  53d  clause,  where  I am 
directed  to  admit  Quakers  into  Offices,  or  Imploy- 
ments,  signing  the  Declaration  of  their  Allegiance  &c. 
was  another  of  the  termes,  to  which  I answered  that  he 
might  as  well  say,  that  the  37th  clause,  where  I am 
commanded  not  to  suffer  any  persons  besides  the  Gen- 
erali Proprietors,  or  their  Agents,  to  purchase  any 
Land  from  the  Indians  was  one  of  those  terms  too 
upon  which  he  said  that  they  had  noe  need  of  such  a 
clause,  and  that  the  Queen  was  mistaken  in  that 
clause  for  that  the  Proprietors  had  noe  need  of  any 
Licence  from  the  Queen  to  purchase  from  the  Indians, 
for  the  Land  was  their  own  already,  by  virtue  of  the 
Grant  from  his  Royall  Highnesse  the  Duke  of  York, 
to  my  Lord  Berkley  and  Sr  George  Carteret,  whose 
Right  they  have  purchased,  I told  him  the  Queen  was 
best  Judge  what  clauses  were  proper  to  be  incerted  in 
the  Instructions  she  was  pleased  to  honour  me  with, 
and  that  as  I found  them  I would  obey  them,  and  I 
told  him  it  did  not  become  him  to  speak  at  that  rate  of 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  75 

the  Queen;  and  indeed  that  Gentleman  does  give  his 
tongue  too  great  a liberty,  however  for  that  time  we 
parted,  and  I did  not  see  him  in  some  months,  for 
going  to  Amboy  in  my  way  to  Burlington,  to  meet  the 
Assembly  there,  I appointed  mr  Morris  and  Captain 
Bowne,  to  meet  me  at  Amboy  on  the  30th  of  August, 
upon  the  account  of  some  disturbance  that  was  like  to 
be  occasioned,  by  a Rape  committed  by  an  Indian  upon 
a white  woman,  and  some  of  the  Justices  had  impris- 
oned the  Indian,  Captain  Bowne  met  me  according  to 
appointment,  but  mr  Morris  chose  that  very  day  to 
goe  from  his  house  in  New  Jersey,  to  New  York  with- 
out so  much  as  writing  one  line  of  excuse,  or  taking 
any  manner  of  notice,  I pursued  my  Journey  to  Bur- 
linton,  but  mr  Morris  neither  came,  nor  wrote,  soe  on 
the  last  day  that  the  Councill  sat,  I did  suspend  mr 
Morris  from  his  place  in  Councill,  and  ordered  the 
Clerk  to  enter  a minute  in  his  book,  of  his  suspention 
and  the  reason  of  it  which  was  for  neglecting  her 
Maiesty’s  service,  without  having  obtained  leave  to  be 
absent;  when  I was  at  New  York,  one  Dr  Ennis  a 
Minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  is  setled  in  Mr 
Morris’s  neighbourhood  in  New  Jersey,  came  to  me, 
and  told  me  that  m1  Morris  was  very  sorry  that  he 
had  committed  soe  great  a fault,  and  desired  that  he 
might  have  leave  to  come  to  me,  and  acknowledge  it, 
I told  him  he  might  come  when  he  pleased,  and  the 
next  day  m1  Morris  and  he  came  to  me,  and  owned  his 
fault,  and  said  that  if  I would  restore  him  to  his  place, 
he  would  by  his  constant  application  to  the  Queen’s 
service,  convince  me  that  it  was  not  out  of  any  disre- 
spect, that  he  had  neglected  his  duty  before,  I told  him 
I did  not  desire  to  be  severe,  or  uneasy  to  any  Gentle- 
man, but  that  it  was  my  duty  to  take  care,  the  persons 
who  had  the  honour  to  serve  the  Queen  in  that 
Province  should  doe  their  duty  espetially  at  a time, 
when  severall  things  were  to  be  done,  necessary  for 


76  LORD  CORNBTJRy’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

the  setling  the  Country,  soe  we  parted,  and  I did  not 
hear  from  him  any  more,  till  a few  days  before  I went 
to  New  Jersey  to  meet  the  New  Assembly,  when  I 
received  a letter  from  him,  from  a far  me  he  has  in 
West  Chester  County,  in  this  Province  of  New  York, 
by  which  he  acquainted  me,  that  having  lately  taken 
that  farme  into  his  hands,  he  was  very  busy  putting 
his  affairs  in  order  there,  and  that  it  would  be  a great 
prejudice  to  him,  if  he  should  be  forced  to  attend  his 
duty  at  Burlington  and  therefore  desired  I would  dis- 
pence  with  his  attendance  for  ten  days,  to  which  I 
answered,  that  ten  days  could  break  noe  squares, 
because  it  would  be  near  ten  days  before  we  should 
enter  upon  businesse,  therefore  I would  not  differ  with 
him  for  that,  and  I went  to  Burlington  at  the  time 
appointed,  but  mr  Morris  did  not  come,  till  after  three 
weeks,  before  which  the  House  of  Representatives  had 
passed  the  Bill  for  the  Revenue,  and  it  had  had  one 
reading  in  the  Councill,  however  1 would  not  differ 
with  him  for  a few  days,  in  hopes  he  would  be  as  good 
as  his  word,  but  instead  of  that  after  the  Bill  had  been 
read  twice,  and  was  committed  to  a Committee  of  the 
Councill,  mr  Morris  did  what  he  could  to  make  that  Act 
miscarry  by  offering  such  amendments  to  it,  as  he 
knew  the  house  of  Representatives  would  never  agree 
to,  notwithstanding  I had  desired  him  perticularly,  to 
give  what  dispatch  he  could  to  that  Act,  because  of 
the  season  of  the  year,  which  was  so  farr  advanced, 
that  we  were  in  great  danger  of  being  frozen  up;  Cap- 
tain Bowne  and  some  others  of  the  Gentlemen  of  her 
Maiestys  Councill,  having  told  me  of  M1  Morris’s  obsti- 
nacy, and  he  coming  immediately  into  my  lodgings,  I 
asked  why  he  would  give  any  interruption  to  that  Act, 
which  he  knew  to  be  soe  unnecessary,  [necessary?]  and 
which  he  had  soe  faithfully  promised  me  to  forward,  to 
the  utmost  of  his  power,  he  told  me  had  very  good  rea- 
sons for  what  he  did,  that  he  had  calculated  what  the 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


77 


1705] 


occasions  of  the  Gouvernment  would  require,  and  that 
two  thousand  pounds  would  not  suffice,  I told  him  that 
T looked  upon  that  to  be  only  a pretence  to  loose  the  Bill, 
and  desired  him  not  to  insist  upon  anything  of  that 
nature,  but  that  he  would  meet  at  the  Committee  the 
next  morning  pursuant  to  their  Adiournment,  and 
dispatch  the  Bill,  but  instead  of  that,  the  next  day  he 
went  to  Philadelphia  without  taking  any  notice  of  me, 
or  asking  leave,  though  he  was  going  out  of  the  Prov- 
ince, however  I was  not  willing  to  take  advantage  of 
that,  hoping  he  might  come  to  his  sences  again,  and 
therefore  I did  stay  to  the  last  day,  that  the  Councill 
sate,  but  he  never  thought  fit  to  attend  his  duty  in 
Councill,  though  he  was  returned  from  Philadelphia 
four,  or  five  days,  before  I left  Burlington,  but  when 
he  was  asked  how  he  came  not  to  come  to  me,  he 
answered  he  vallued  not  the  Gouvernor  of  a farthing, 
soe  when  I was  going  to  dismisse  the  Councill  I did 
again  suspend  mr  Morris  from  his  place  in  the  Councill 
till  her  Maiesty’s  pleasure  might  be  known,  and  I hope 
the  Queen  will  be  pleased  to  confirm  that  suspension, 
and  that  he  may  be  dismissed  from  being  a member  of 
that  board,  and  a better  man  put  in  bis  stead,  for  I am 
well  satisfied,  he  will  always  obstruct  the  Queen’s 
service,  and  indeed  he  has  soe  intirely  given  himself 
up,  to  the  Interest  of  t*he  Proprietors,  that  he  can  see 
with  no  other  eyes  but  theirs,  and  I can  not  say  that 
they  have  always  pursued  the  Interest  of  the  Crowne; 
Mr  Morris  is  one  of  those  who  have  endeavoured  to 
possesse  the  people  here,  that  they  have  a right  to  have 
Generali  Assembly s,  and  that  the  Assembly s in  these 
Collonys,  have  the  same  Priviledges,  Powers,  and 
Authority s as  the  House  of  Commons  in  England,  he 
must  not  deny  this,  for  he  said  it  to  me  severall  times, 
and  said  that  the  people  here  were  English  men,  and 
were  intituled  to  all  the  Priviledges  of  English  men, 
and  that  if  the  Queen  would  not  allow  them  to  send 


78  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1705 

Members  to  represent  these  Collonys  in  the  House  of 
Commons  in  England,  it  was  highly  reasonable  they 
should  have  Assemblys  of  their  own,  and  that  they 
were  to  be  Gouverned  by  Laws  of  their  making; 
indeed  I have  as  often  answered  him,  that  he  was  mis- 
taken, that  the  Assemblys  which  have  been  held  here, 
in  these  parts,  are  purely  by  favour  of  the  Crowne, 
that  I look  upon  their  Power  of  making  Laws,  as 
intended  to  be  noe  more  than  what  every  Corporation 
in  England  has,  that  is,  to  make  Bylaws  for  the  well 
gouverning  of  that  Corporation,  this  offended  mr  Mor- 
ris very  much,  and  indeed  if  it  were  his  opinion  alone, 
I should  not  regard  it,  but  it  is  the  opinion  of  many 
people  in  the  Provinces  of  New  York,  and  New  Jersey, 
espetialy  to  the  East  end  of  Long  Island,  where  they 
are  generally  Commonwealths  men,  this  opinion  can 
tend  to  nothing,  but  the  diminishing  the  Authority  of 
the  Queen  in  these  parts,  which  I hope  will  not  be 
suffered,  this  Gentleman  has  not  been  contented  with 
spreading  this  doctrine  as  much  as  he  can  in  New  Jer- 
sey, but  endeavours  to  incourage  it  in  this  Province, 
where  it  has  already  taken  root,  he  is  now  soliciting  to 
get  himself  chosen  for  the  County  of  West  Chester  for 
an  Assembly  which  I intend  to  call  in  few  days,  I 
hope  he  will  not  succeed,  because  I am  well  satisfied 
his  intention  is  not  good.  I did  formerly  take  the 
liberty  to  recommend  to  your  Lordshipps,  Collonell 
Townley,  and  M1  Daniell  Cox,  to  be  of  her  Maiestys 
Councill  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  room  of  M1  Edward 
Hunlock,  and  Mr  Samuel  Leonard,  who  were  dead, 
before  I received  the  honour  of  her  Maiesty’s  Commis- 
sion for  that  Gouvernment,  since  that  time,  one  M1 
Samuell  Walker,  who  was  alsoe  one  of  the  Councill  is 
dead,  soe  that  now  there  are  three  vacancies  in  the 
Councill,  which  I humbly  intreat  your  Lordshipps  may 
be  filled  by  Collonell  Richard  Townley,  Ml  Daniel  Coxe, 
and  Mr  Roger  Mompesson,  whom  I have  appointed  to 


1705]  LOKD  cornbury’s  administration.  79 

be  Chief  Justice  of  New  Jersey,  till  the  Queen’s 
pleasure  may  be  knowne,  and  I desire  you  will  be 
pleased  to  recomend  him  to  the  Queen  to  be  confirmed 
in  that  place,  he  is  very  proper  for  it,  and  has  brought 
the  Supreame  Court  in  this  Province  of  New  York  into 
very  good  Order,  and  I don’t  question  but  he  will  doe 
the  same  in  New  Jersey,  I farther  intreat  your  Lord- 
shipps,  that  I may  have  a Statute  book  sent  me  for 
this  Province  of  New  York,  and  another  for  New  Jer- 
sey, to  remain  with  the  Clerk  of  the  Councill  of  each 
Province,  there  is  indeed  a great  necessity  of  this, 
because  there  are  often  pleadings  before  the  Councill, 
where  the  Lawyers  take  the  liberty  of  quoting  Acts  of 
Parliament  of  England  falsely,  which  they  think  they 
may  the  more  freely  doe,  because  they  know  there  is 
noe  Statute  book  belonging  to  the  Gouvernment;  I 
desire  you  will  be  pleased  to  intercede  with  her  Maiesty 
that  I may  have  a great  seale  for  the  Province  of  New 
Jersey,  I am  at  a mighty  losse  for  want  of  one,  there 
have  been  two  barbarous  murders  committed  lately, 
one  by  a woman  who  joined  with  a man  to  murder  her 
husband,  the  other  of  another  woman  who  murdered 
her  own  Child,  the  Country  was  very  desirous  to  have 
these  two  people  tryed  as  soon  as  possible,  because 
there  are  no  Goals  sufficient  to  keep  Criminalls  in,  and 
indeed  I would  have  Issued  a special  Commission  for 
the  Tryall  of  them,  but  for  want  of  a seale  I could  not; 
T must  likewise  beg  your  Lordshipps  directions  in  some 
matters  relating  to  the  Gouvernment,  and  perticularly 
with  respect  to  fines,  forfeitures,  and  Escheats,  which 
some  of  the  Proprietors  upon  the  place,  pretend  to  say 
the  Queen  has  nothing  to  doe  withall,  but  that  they 
belong  to  the  Proprietors,  however  till  I receive  your 
commands  in  that  matter,  I have  taken  care,  where 
any  thing  of  that  nature  has  hapned,  to  have  secured 
for  the  Queen;  there  is  likewise  a thing  called  horse 
hunting,  the  woods  are  full  of  wild  horses;  in  the 


LORD  CORNBURY*S  ADMINISTRATION. 


80 


[1705 


province  of  New  York,  the  Gouvernor  of  New  York 
appoints  a Ranger  Generali,  who  deputes  persons  under 
him  for  every  County  to  take  care  of  all  such  horses  as 
are  taken  up  wild  in  the  woods,  and  I have  appointed 
one  in  New  Jersey  but  the  Proprietors  here  say  it  is 
their  Right,  soe  I would  not  let  the  person  I had  named 
proceed,  till  I had  received  your  Lordshipps  directions, 
which  I intreat  I may  have;  thus  I have  acquainted 
you  with  what  relates  to  New  Jersey,  I take  the  liberty 
to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  in  7ber  last  I went 
downe  the  River  DeLaware  as  low  as  Salem,  which  is 
the  lowest  County  but  one  on  the  Jersey  side,  towards 
the  Capes  of  Delaware  River,  and  is  seaventy  three 
miles  below  Burlington,  there  is  a pretty  little  towne 
built  there  called  Salem,  which  is  capable  of  being 
made  a good  place  for  Trade,  there  being  a Creek  there, 
in  which  there  is  no  lesse  than  fifteen  foot  water  at 
Low  water,  soe  capable  of  receiving  good  ships;  I did 
intend  to  have  gone  downe  as  farr  as  the  Capes,  but 
the  North  West  Winds  began  to  set  in,  and  I being  but 
in  a small  boat,  thought  it  not  proper  to  venture  for 
fear  of  being  blown  out  to  sea,  which  often  happens  at 
that  time  of  the  year,  but  I intend  (God  willing)  to  goe 
downe  this  Spring,  because  I am  willing  to  give  the 
Queen  the  best  account  I can  of  all  the  parts  of  those 
Gouvernments  she  has  been  pleased  to  honour  me  with 
the  Gouvernment  of;  I am  with  great  respect 
My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most 

faith  full  & very  humble  servant* 

CORNBURY 

I had  almost  forgot  to  observe  to  your  Lordshipps 
some  of  the  inconveniencys  that  may  attend  one  of 
the  Instructions  I received  from  her  Maiesty  relating 
to  the  Gouvernment  of  New  Jersey,  and  that  is  the 
37th  clause  in  which  I am  directed  not  to  suffer  any 
persons  besides  the  Generali  Proprietors,  or  their 


LORD  CORNBLfRY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


81 


1705] 


Agents,  to  purchase  Land  from  the  Indians;  now  I 
conceive  that  this  will  be  a means  to  hinder  the  Coun- 
try from  being  cleared,  and  peopled  soe  soon  as  it 
would  otherwise  be,  for  the  Proprietors  will  not  sell 
any  Land  but  at  certain  rates,  which  they  who  live  in 
the  Province  have  agreed  among  themselves,  shall  be 
the  Price,  and  under  such  quit  rents  as  they  think  fit, 
soe  that  severall  people  who  would  settle  in  New  Jer- 
sey, goe  over  into  Pensilvania  and  settle  there;  I am  of 
opinion  that  if  a certain  Quit  Rent  were  fixed  to  be  paid 
to  the  Proprietors  for  every  hundred  acres  of  Land, 
and  soe  for  a greater,  or  lesser  quantity,  and  that  the 
Gouvernor  for  the  time  being,  may  be  at  liberty  to 
grant  licences  to  any  person  who  has  a mind  to  pur- 
chase from  the  Indians,  it  can  be  noe  preiudice  to  the 
Proprietors,  but  will  he  a means  to  people  the  Country 
much  sooner; 


Ret  it  ion  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  to  the  Lords 
of  Trade . relating  to  Lord  Cornbury's  proceedings. 

|From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T..  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  B,8.] 

Petition  of  Mr  Dockmenic  &ca  relating  to  the 
Lord  Cornburys  having  acted  contrary  to 
his  Instructions  in  sev1?  particulars;  & pray- 
ing for  a Copy  of  the  whole  Instructions. 

To  the  R?  HonbP  the  Lords  Commissioners  for 
Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  humble  Pet’con  of  the  Proprietrs  of  the  Wes- 
tern Division  of  New  Jersey  in  America, 
Shewetli 

That  your  Pet?  having  made  a Surrender  of  the 
Government  of  West  Jersey  upon  Conditions  which 
yof  Lordps  were  pleas’d  to  Assure  them  should  be  kept 
G 


S'i  LORD  CORN  BURYIS  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 


inviolable;  and  to  that  end  be  inserted  in  the  Instruc- 
tions of  the  Queens  Govern!'  for  the  time  being,  they 
have  received  information  from  their  Agents  in  Jersey 
that  the  Lord  Cornbury  has  Acted  in  severall  particu- 
lars contrary  to  those  Conditions,  and  to  your  Petr:8 
great  Detriment,  But  they  being  unable  to  draw  up 
a proper  Charge  without  a Copy  of  the  Instructions 
themselves. 

The  Pet1!8  humbly  pray  that  your  Ldp6  will  be  pleas’d 
to  grant  them  a Copy  of  the  whole  Instructions. 


Jn°  Bridges 
Rob  Michel 
Jos:  Brooksbanke 
Tho  Skinner 
John  Norton 


Tho  Lane 
Paul  Doeminique 
E.  Richier 
John  Whiting 
Fra:  Michel 


Memorial  of  Daniel  Coxe,  Junr , William  Dockwra , 
and  Peter  Sonmans , to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.,  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  9.J 

A Memorial  from  Mf  Cox,  & M?  Dockwra,  relat- 
ing to  New  Jersey,  and  the  Election  of 
Members  &c 

To  THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE  THE  LORDS  COMMISS"  FOR 

foreigne  Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  Memorial  of  Daniel  Cox  Junr.  William  Dock- 
ivra  and  Peter  Sonmansy  in  relation  to  the  Province 
of  Nova  Caesarea  or  Neiv  Jersey  in  America. 

Your  Lordshipps  having  been  pleas’d  to  favour  us 
with  Extracts  of  sundry  Letters  from  and  Instructions 
to  his  Excellency  The  Lord  Cornbury,  we  have  perused 
the  same  and  begg  Leave  humbly  to  represent  to  yor 
Ld’ps 


1705]  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  83 

That  his  Excellencies  report  in  his  Letter  dated  the 
ffourth  of  November  1704  relating  to  the  Quakers  in 
West  Jersey  and  his  opinion  thereupon,  seems  to  be 
Just,  reasonable  and  well  grounded  Not  only  for  the 
Reasons  his  Ld’p  mentions  in  his  said  Letters:  But 
also  for  the  following,  (viz : ) 

• l8fc  Because  it  can  never  be  expected  the  Militia  or 
Revenue  for  Support  thereof  or  of  the  Government, 
Should  ever  be  Settled  while  the  Quakers  are  in  Coun 
cill  or  Assembly  their  very  principles  militating  against 
such  Establishment. 

2dly  Because  whilst  they  are  so  far  encourag’d  as  to 
be  admitted  in  the  Councill  and  other  publick  places 
and  Employments  they  awe  and  frighten  many  by 
their  power  and  authority  who  would  otherwise  leave 
that  perswasion  and  come  over  to  the  Christian 
Church. 

3ly  Because  refusing  to  pay  Tythes  on  pretence  of 
Conscience  they  will  consequently  oppose  and  obstruct 
the  passing  any  Act  in  favour  of  the  said  Church  or  its 
Settlement  as  far  as  in  them  lyes. 

4ly  Because  Quakers  are  not  allowed  or  admitted  into 
publick  Offices  or  Employ mt8  (as  we  are  inform’d)  in 
any  other  branch  of  the  whole  English  Empire  the 
proprietary  Government  of  Pennsilvania  only  ex- 
cepted. 

5ly  Because  the  Information  given  for  the  ground 
and  reason  of  yo!  Lord?8  incerting  that  Article  in  the 
Lord  Cornbury’s  Instructions  to  admitt  Quakers  into 
publick  Offices  and  Employments  manifestly  appears 
to  be  as  false  as  ’tis  scandalous,  there  being  more  than 
a sufficient  number  of  people  fitly  and  duly  qualified 
to  serve  the  Country  in  any  publick  Station  or  Employ 
whatsoever  in  either  Division  as  is  evident  from  my 
Lord  Cornbury’s  Letters  and  paper  of  Daniel  Leeds, 
formerly  deliver’d  to  yo1  Lordshipps  by  Mr  Cox  and  the 
testimony  of  diverse  Gentlemen  now  in  England. 


84-  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

Wherefore  we  hope  your  Lordshipps  will  be  pleasd 
to  concur  with  his  Excellency  The  Lord  Cornbury  and 
represent  this  matter  to  her  Majtie  for  her  directions 
that  the  Quakers  may  be  excluded  from  the  Councill, 
the  General  Assembly  (and  all  other  places  of  publick 
trust  in  the  said  Province. 

That  we  are  entirely  convinct  his  Lordshipps  objec- 
tions in  his  Letter  dated  the  Fourteenth  of  Jan?  170J  to 
that  part  of  the  Constitution  lately  establisht  by  your 
Lordshipps  relating  to  the  Election  of  members  of  the 
General  Assembly  as  to  the  Qualifications  of  the 
Electors  & elected,  the  former  of  whom  your  Lord- 
shipps required  to  have  an  hundred  Acres  of  Freehold 
Lands  and  the  latter  to  have  a thousand  acres  of  Free- 
hold Lands  in  their  own  respective  rights,  together 
with  the  manner  of  choosing  them  viz!  all  in  one 
County,  are  just  and  true  in  fact  and  conceive  un- 
answerable. We  therefore  pray  your  Lordshipps 
would  be  pleasd  to  alter  that  part  of  his  Excellency’s 
Instructions  in  such  manner  that  all  the  Inhabitants 
being  Freeholders  may  have  full  Liberty  to  choose 
such  persons  as  they  think  fittest  to  Serve  her  Matie 
and  the  Country,  and  that  there  may  be  two  elected  for 
and  in  each  County  of  the  Eastern  division.  But  be- 
cause there  is  one  County  more  in  the  Eastern  than  in 
the  Western  division  and  consequently  there  will  be  a 
Superiority  of  Members  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
one  division  more  than  ye  other.  We  humbly  pray 
some  Care  may  be  taken  for  keeping  up  the  equality 
of  Members  for  each  Division. 

That  the  Bill  mentioned  by  his  Excellency  as  prepard 
and  Sent  over  is  to  full  of  incoherencies  and  attended 
with  Such  inconveniencies  as  may  tend  to  the  detri- 
ment, if  not  utter  mine,  of  many  families;  So  yl  we 
have  reason  to  rejoice  it  did  not  pass  into  an  Act;  but 
because  it  maybe  very  just  and  necessary  a Bill  should 
be  past  whereby  the  Right  and  Property  of  the  General 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURir’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


85 


proprietors  and  all  other  Purchases  of  Land  in  y.®  s’d 
province  may  be  confirmd  to  them  according  to  their 
respective  rights  and  titles  together  with  all  Quitt- 
Rents  and  all  other  priviledges,  as  are  exp  rest  in  their 
Severall  Conveyances,  (except  only  the  right  of  Gov- 
erning ) We  would  begg  leave  to  present  yor  Ldpps  with 
the  draught  of  such  a Bill  to  be  per  usd  and  approv’d 
by  yor  Ld’ps  and  afterwards  recomended  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

And  Whereas  we  are  assurd  yor  Ld?8  have  been  in- 
form’d of  the  two  Vacancy’s  in  the  Councill  of  New 
Jersey  by  the  death  of  Ed. — Hunlock  late  for  the  Wes- 
tern and  Sam:  Leonard  for  the  Eastern  Division.  We 
humbly  pray  yo1'  Ldd:8  to  reco’mend  two  Such  persons 
to  her  Ma1:10  as  in  yo.1  Ldps  Judging  shall  be  best  quali- 
fvd  to  Serve  in  yfc  Station,  and  by  her  Maj1!!8  great 
Wisdome  and  favour  may  be  appointed  to  fill  up  the 
s’d  vacancies,  which  would  be  the  more  necessary  if 
yo1  Lordshipps  shall  think  fitt  to  represent  to  her 
MajL6  that  the  Quakers  may  be  excluded  from  the 
Councill  the  Assembly  and  all  other  places  of  publick 
trust. 

[Rec’d  5 April  1705.]  Peter  Sonmans. 

WLDockwra. 

Dan  Coxe  Jun“ 


Memorial  of  the  Proprietors  of  West  Jersey  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade , complaining  of  Lord  Con)  bury 
and  asking  for  the  restoration  of  Lewis  Morris 
to  the  Council. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  1T.J 

Mem!1  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Western  Divi- 
sion of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  relating 
to  the  Lord  Cornburys  not  haveing*  com- 


8*3  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

plyed  with  his  Instruct8  for  that  Govern- 
ment, And  desiring  that  Mr  Morris  may  be 
restored  to  his  place  in  the  Council.  Reed : 
1st  Sep1’  1705. 

To  the  Rr  HonbU  the  Lords  Com’issioners  for 
Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  Humble  Memoriall  of  ye  Proprietrs  of  the 
Western  Division  of  the  Province  of  New 
Jersey  in  America 

We  humbly  acknowledge  your  Lordships  great  Just- 
ice in  making  the  terms  of  our  Surrender  of  Gov- 
ernment, as  part  of  the  Lord  Cornburys  Instructions 
relating  to  the  said  Province  ; and  heartily  wish  his 
Excellency  had  given  us  occasion  of  Acknowledging 
his  due  Observation  of  the  Instructions,  instead  of 
troubling  your  Lordp8  with  a complaint  of  his  breach 
of  them,  which  we  are  fully  assur’d  from  Undoubted 
Testimony s his  Excellency  has  made  in  the  following 
Instances  ; And  thb  he  endeav1.8  to  palliate  his  proceed- 
ings there  by  frequently  and  publickly  asserting  that 
yor  Lordps  consented  to  noe  terms  upon  our  Surrender, 
yet  were  that  as  great  a truth,  as  It  is  a mistake,  and 
those  Instructions  had  been  only  of  grace  and  favr,  we 
Conceive  him  to  be  oblig’d,  and  our  selves  intituled  to 
his  punctuall  Observance  of  them. 

It  is  one  of  the  terms  Consented  to  by  Yor  Lordps, 
and  one  of  his  Excellency’s  Instructions  from  your 
Lordps.  that  the  Generali  Assembly  shall  consist  of  four 
and  Twenty  Representatives,  Two  to  be  chosen  by  the 
Inhabitants  Householders  of  the  City  or  Town  of  Perth 
Amboy.  Two  by  the  Inhabitants  householders  of  the 
City  or  Town  of  Burlington,  Ten  to  he  Chosen  by  the 
Freeholders  of  the  Eastern,  and  Ten  by  the  Freehold- 
ers of  the  Western  Division  ; In  which  Elections  every 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  87 

Elector  is  to  have  one  hundred  acres  of  Freehold 
Lands  in  his  own  Right  within  the  Division  for  which 
he  shall  choose,  and  every  person  Elected  is  to  have 
one  Thousand  acres  of  Freehold  Lands  in  his  own 
Right  within  the  Division  for  which  he  shall  be 
chosen. 

This  Instruction  which  we  relyed  on  as  the  Chief 
Security  of  our  Estates  in  that  province,  his  Excel- 
lency has  not  only  violated,  but  has  totally  destroyed 
that  part  of  our  Constitution,  and  in  such  a manner  as 
will  render  all  Assemblys  a mere  piece  of  formality, 
and  only  ye  Tools  of  a Govern1?  Arbitrary  pleasure  For 
setting  which  proceeding  in  a due  Light,  We  must 
crave  leave  to  lay  before  yo^  Lord?8  the  Account  we 
have  received  of  It  from  our  Agent  and  other  reputa- 
ble persons  of  that  Province. 

An  Assembly  having  been  called  and  Chosen  in  the 
year  1703  pursuant  to  your  Lordps  Instructions,  pre- 
pared Bills  for  settling  the  Rights  of  the  Proprietors 
and  Planters,  and  for  raising  a Revenue  of  Thirteen 
hundred  Pounds  p.  Annu  for  three  years  (which 
they  knew  was  the  utmost  the  County  could  bear)  for 
the  support  of  the  Government ; but  his  Excellency 
requiring  a greater  su’me,  severall  persons  our  constant 
Enemys  and  Invaders  of  our  propertys,  and  who 
therefore  opposed  the  Bill  for  Settling  our  Rights,  un- 
dertook to  procure  an  Assembly  more  Obedient  to  his 
Excellencys  Demands  ; and  by  that,  and  other  Argu- 
ments which  out  of  Regard  to  his  Hon.r  we  choose  to 
waive  the  mention  of,  prevaild  upon  him  to  dissolve 
that  Assembly,  and  to  call  another  to  sit  in  November 
last.  The  writs  were  issued,  and  the  Elections  directed 
to  be  made,  in  such  hast,  that  in  one  of  the  writs  the 
Qualifications  of  the  persons  to  be  elected  was  omitted, 
and  the  Sheriff  of  one  County  not  sworn  till  Three 
days  before  the  Election,  and  many  of  the  Townes  had 
not  any  (much  less  due)  notice  of  the  day  of  Election, 


ss 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


But  passing  by  these,  and  many  other  illegall  Artifices 
usd  by  those  Undertakers  to  obtaine  an  Assembly  to 
their  own  hum!  Wee  shall  insist  only  upone  one 
Grand  instance,  which  is  not  to  be  paralelled  in  any  of 
her  MaTs  Plantations,  and  could  not  have  been  attempt- 
ed without  his  Excellencys  encouragement  nor  put  in 
practice  without  his  Concurrence. 

When  this  Assembly  was  mett  and  attended  his 
Excellency  in  Councill  in  order  to  be  sworn,  mr  Re  veil 
and  m.r  Leeds  (two  of  the  Govern’.8  Councill,  and  of  the 
Undertakers  to  ]3rocure  such  an  Assembly  as  they  had 
promisd)  Suspecting  the  strength  of  their  party,  Ob- 
jected against  Three  of  the  Members  return’d,  as  per- 
sons not  having  each  One  Thousand  acres  of  Land,  and 
therefore  Unqualify ed  to  serve  in  the  Assembly, 
Though  these  persons  had  such  estates  in  Land,  and 
were  generally  known  to  have  So,  and  at  the  time  of 
their  Election  had  convinc’d  Revell  & Leeds  who 
oppos’d  them  under  that  pretence,  of  the  Truth  of  It, 
and  this  objection  was  not  Examinable  or  determin- 
able by  his  Excellency,  or  his  Councill,  or  otherwise 
than  in  the  house  of  Representatives,  who  are  the  only 
proper  Judges  of  their  own  Members  : yet  his  Excel- 
lency upon  this  bare  suggestion  of  Revell  and  Leeds, 
refusd  to  swear  those  Members,  and  excluded  them 
from  sitting  to  serve  their  Country.  This  Attempt 
was  Seconded  by  another  trick  of  Revell  and  Leeds, 
who  im’ediately  sent  the  following  note  to  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

To  the  Honb.le  the  house  of  Representatives 
Gent"1 

We  Underwritten  supposing  we  had  good  reason  to 
charge  three  of  the  persons  Returned  to  serve  as 
Representatives  in  this  Generali  Assembly,  but  upon 
due  Consideration  find  it  difficult  to  come  to  a true 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


8‘.) 


1705] 


determination  thereof  Untill  we  can  by  further  enquiry 
find  the  truth  of  what  we  have  been  informd  of  ; 
Wee  therefore  humbly  desire  ffourteen  days  time 
further  that  we  may  be  able  more  fully  to  Inform  this 
house  therein,  which  we  humbly  suppose  at  present 
cannot  reasonably  be  expected  from  us.  Wee  sub- 
scribe ourselves  your  humble  Supplyants. 

Novemb.1'  14  th  1704.  Tho  Rev  ell 

Dan:  Leeds 

The  Countys  for  which  they  were  chosen  to  serve, 
Expressd  a great  dissatisfaction  at  the  Exclusion  of 
their  Members,  and  these  and  severall  other  Reprsent 
atives  delivered  an  Addresse  to  his  Excellency  for 
having  them  admitted  to  their  Right,  which  mett 
with  noe  other  Reception,  than  being  called  a piece  of 
Insolence,  and  111  manners. 

By  this  Exclusion  of  three  Members,  and  the  Con- 
tempt of  the  Addresse  for  their  admission,  the  Under- 
takers gain’d  a Majority  by  one  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  who  adjourned  the  Hearing  of  this 
Case  untill  they  had  reap’d  the  fruits  of  their  Iniquity, 
and  Accomplished  the  ends  for  which  It  was  contrivd, 
For  whilst  this  Case  was  depending,  a Bill  for  taking 
away  the  Qualifications  of  the  Elect18  and  the  Elected, 
and  placing  the  Right  of  Choosing  and  being  Chosen 
in  the  Freeholders  Generally,  without  any  expresse 
value  of  their  Estates,  was  prepar’d  and  pass’d,  wherein 
there  is  this  Remarkable  and  self -condemning  declara- 
tion of  his  Excellencys  proceedings  viz1  that  the  Re- 
presentatives met  in  Generali  Assemblys  are,  and 
shall  be  the  Judges  of  the  Qualifications  of  their  own 
Members. 

After  this,  and  one  other  Act  which  we  shall  here- 
after take  notice  of  in  Its  proper  place,  were  passd,  a 
Day  of  Hearing  was  allowed  to  the  three  Excluded 
Members,  and  notice  of  It  given  to  Revell  and 
Leeds,  who  would  not  vouch  safe  to  Appear,  but  hav- 


90  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

ing  allready  obtaind  their  ends,  graciously  Signifyed 
by  a Message  their  mistake  in  their  Objection  to  those 
Members. 

The  House  proceeded  in  the  Enquiry,  and  by  Deeds, 
and  other  Authentick  proofs  was  soe  fully  satisfyed  of 
the  Estates  of  those  Excluded  Members,  and  that  Re- 
vell  and  Leeds  had  been  convinced  thereof  at  the 
time  of  their  Elections  ; that  the  House  unanimously 
declard  them  duly  qualifyed,  and  sent  two  of  their 
Body  to  acquaint  his  Excellency  of  It,  and  to  pray 
they  might  be  sworn,  But  his  Excellency  (whether 
out  of  a desire  of  Assuming  the  glory  of  this  Arbitrary 
proceeding  wholly  to  himself  e,  or  of  making  the  Coun- 
try sensible  that  notwithstanding  the  act  soe  lately 
passd  declaring  the  House  Judges  of  their  own  Mem- 
bers, he  was  resolved  to  Exercise  that  power  for  the 
future,  or  for  what  other  reason  we  know  not)  told  those 
Mesengers  He  must  be  satisfyed  of  their  Qualifications 
as  well  as  the  House,  and  still  keeps  them  out  of  the 
Assembly. 

This  We  conceive  to  be  an  Assuming  a Negative 
Voice  to  the  Freeholders  election  of  their  Representa- 
tives, and  such  an  Invasion  of  the  Rights  of  the  As- 
sembly, as  will,  if  tolerated  or  connivd  at,  place  the 
whole  Legislature  in  the  Govern!'  for  if  he  can  at  his 
pleasure  reject  Three  Representatives,  he  may  reject 
All,  and  make  what  Laws  he  thinks  fit  without  the 
formality  of  an  Assembly. 

But  if  this  Notorious  Violation  of  of  Constitution 
had  not  been  made  by  him,  and  the  Assembly  had 
consisted  of  Its  full  proportion  of  duely  Elected  Mem- 
bers, We  conceive,  and  are  advisd,  that  his  Excellency 
had  noe  authority,  nor  any  probable  Col!  from  his 
Instructions  for  passing  this  Act : For  though  the 
Instruction  relating  to  the  election  of  Generali  Assem- 
blys,  allows  an  Alteration  by  Act  of  Assembly  of  the 
Number  of  the  Representatives,  and  the  manner  of 


1705]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  91 

their  being  elected  ; It  leaves  noe  power  to  the  Gener- 
ali Assembly  to  alter  the  Qualifications  of  the  Electors, 
or  Elected,  which  was  intended  to  be  a standing  and 
unalterable  part  of  the  Constitution,  as  most  agreeable 
to  ye  Constitution  of  England,  where  the  Elect™  of 
Knights  for  the  Countys  must  have  a certain  fix’d 
freehold  and  the  elected  are  generally  the  princpall 
landed  men  of  their  respective  Countys.  But  ye 
Alteration  now  made  was  intended  to  put  the  election 
of  Representatives  into  the  meanest  of  the  people  who 
being  impatient  of  any  Superi™,  will  never  fail  to 
choose  such  from  amongst  themselves,  as  may  oppose 
us,  and  destroy  our  Rights. 

It  is  another  term  of  our  Surrender,  and  an  Instruc- 
tion to  his  Excellency,  that  noe  Act  should  be  made  to 
lay  any  Tax  upon  unprofitable  Lands. 

But  his  Excellency  has  encouraged,  and  Assented 
to  a Bill  in  this  last  Assembly,  for  taxing  (without 
distinction,)  All  lands  belonging  to  the  Inhabitants 
there,  and  to  all  others  not  Inhabiting  there,  who  have 
settled  any  Plantations  either  by  Tenants,  Servants  or 
Negroes,  It  is  objection  enough  to  this  Act  that  there 
is  no  other  Colony  in  America  wherein  Uncultivated 
Lands  are  tax’d,  and  As  this  Act  was  intended,  soe 
none  more  effectuall  could  have  been  contriv’d,  to 
prejudice  the  Country  in  Generali,  or  the  propriet™  in 
particular.  For  if  any  man  who  has  a thousand  or 
more  acres  of  Land  which  he  can  neither  Manure,  nor 
Sell,  (as  most  of  the  first  Planters  have)  he  must  pay 
a Tax  for  this  Land  which  may  eat  up  the  greatest 
part  of  the  profit  of  what  he  can,  and  does  cultivate  ; 
or  he  must  desert  the  whole ; and  if  we  who  have 
great  tracts  of  Lands  of  many  Thousand  acres  to  sell ; 
Lett  or  settle  but  a few  acres  to  maintaine  our  Agents, 
or  Servants,  we  must  pay  a tax  for  all  ye  Residue 
which  yields  us  nothing.  In  consequence  of  this  Act 
severall  persons  who  had  agreed  with  our  Agent  for 


0*2  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  f 1705 

Lands,  have  renounced  their  bargaines,  and  removed 
into  other  Countrys,  where  they  can  purchase  great 
Tracts  of  Land,  and  preserve  them  for  their  posterity 
to  settle  on  ; and  we  unlesse  reliev’d  from  this  Oppres- 
sion, must  deliver  up  our  Lands,  or  our  purses. 

This  Tax  is  imposd  by  the  Act  passd  in  the  Assem- 
bly for  raising  a Revenue  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds 
p.  Ann  for  two  years  for  the  Support  of  her  Majtys 
Government  within  that  Province.  And  we  have 
great  reason  to  believe  It  to  be  part  of  the  Return 
promisd  by  the  Undertakers  to  his  Excellency  for  his 
dissolving  the  former  Assembly,  and  curtailing  the 
Last  of  Three  Members. 

It  is  another  term  of  our  Surrender,  and  an  Instruc- 
tion to  his  Excellency,  that  the  Survey1’.8  and  other  per- 
sons appointed  by  us  for  Surveying  and  recording  the 
Surveys  of  Lands  granted  and  sold  by  us,  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  execute  their  respective  Trusts. 

But  his  Excellency  has  taken  upon  him  even  contrary 
to  the  advice  of  his  Councill,  to  appoint  Fees  for  pat- 
enting Lands,  which  has  created  an  Opinion  in  the 
People  that  the  power  of  granting  Lands  is  in  him, 
has  lessend  the  Credit  of  our  Title  to  the  Lands,  and 
encourages  the  Planters  to  dispute  our  Right. 

His  Excellency  has  ordered  All  Publick  Books, 
Records  and  Papers  to  be  delivered  by  our  Late  Secre- 
tary to  M1  Basse  our  Great  Debt.1’  and  therefore  our 
Avowed  Enemy,  and  has  carryed  our  Records  of  Deeds 
and  Conveyances  out  of  the  Province. 

By  this  method  the  Propriety  of  both  Divisions  are 
deprived  of  all  meanes  to  justify  their  past  administra- 
tion, of  the  Evidences  of  their  Grants  of  Lands  to  the 
purchasers  under  them,  (All  the  Surveys  and  Patents 
being  recorded  in  those  Books)  and  will  destroy  the 
office  of  our  Register,  or  at  least  will  disable  him  to 
perform  his  Duty  in  some  Cases  which  by  Acts  of  Gen- 
erali Assembly  he  is  oblig’d  to. 


1705]  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  03 

It  is  a further  term  of  our  Surrender,  and  Instruction 
to  his  Excellency  that  all  officers  be  Appointed  by  ad- 
vice of  the  Council! 

But  his  Excellency  has  constituted  severall  Officers 
without  such  advice,  and  particularly  a Sheriff  of  Bur- 
lington, who  was  therefore  suspended  by  order  of 
Councill,  and  yet  continued  to  act  under  his  Lordps 
Appointment. 

We  are  further  informed  that  his  Excellency  hath 
put  severall  mean  and  Contemptible  persons  into  the 
Commission  of  the  peace,  particularly  one  Salter,  whom 
he  knew  to  be  under  prosecution  for  felony,  and  has 
given  Commissions  in  the  Militia  to  others  who  have  no 
Estate  in  the  Province,  and  therefore  are  not  like  to  he 
zealous  in  the  defence  of  It 

It  is  a matter  of  some  wonder  to  us,  that  after  so 
many  Acts  of  Despotick  power,  his  Excellency  did  not 
Assume  to  himselfe,  or  obtaine  from  the  last  Assembly, 
an  Authority  of  Licencing  any  persons  to  purchase 
Lands  from  the  Indians  ; but  Condescends  to  Apply  to 
yo.1  Lordp.s  for  an  Alteration  of  his  Instructions  in  that 
particular,  There  wants  only  the  breach  of  this  In- 
struction, to  Compleat  the  Ruin  of  our  Interests  in 
New  Jersey,  and  we  humbly  hope  yor  Lordps  will  not 
enable  him  to  give  that  finishing  Stroke. 

This  Instruction  founded  upon  the  Right  which  ye 
Crown  of  England  Claimes  by  the  Law  of  Nations  to 
all  Country’s  discovered  by  English  Subjects,  was  in- 
tended to  Assert  that  Right,  against  the  pretences  of 
many  Planters,  who  set  up  the  Indians  Title  in  Com- 
petition with  It,  and  if  that  Right  be  taken  from  the 
Grantees  of  the  Crown,  All  Patents  and  Grants  of  the 
whole  maine  Land  of  North  America  have  been  only 
Roy  all  Frauds  under  the  Sanction  of  the  Great  Seal  of 
England  and  noe  man  will  ever  after  purchase  lands 
under  that  Title. 

His  Excellency  was  lately  soe  fully  satisfyed  of  the 


94  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

Policy  and  reasonableness  of  asserting  this  Right  to 
the  Crown,  and  its  Grantees,  that  in  the  year  1703.  he 
recom’ended,  and  Assented  to  an  Act  of  Assembly  for 
restraining  all  persons  besides  the  proprietr.8,  from 
purchasing  Lands  of  the  Indians,  under  great  penal  - 
tys,  and  for  vacating  all  such  purchases  formerly 
made  unlesse  the  purchasers  took  a fresh  Grant  from 
the  Proprietrs,  of  which  Act  we  humbly  pray  yor  Lordp* 
perusall. 

We  are  purchasers  for  ready  money  under  a Grant 
from  King  Charles  the  Second,  and  are  willing  to  sell 
our  Lands  and  the  Indians  Title  to  It,  at  reasonable 
rates,  according  to  the  goodness  of  their  Soyle,  and 
Scituation  i and  ought  not  to  be  Compelled  to  accept 
a Quit-Rent  (much  lesse  a Quitt-Rent  to  be  set  by 
other  persons  than  our  selves,  as  his  Excellency  pro- 
poses) instead  of  Selling  for  ready  money  nor  ought 
our  Properties  to  be  at  the  disposal!  of  a Govern.r,  ’Tis 
not  the  want  of  a power  in  the  Planters  to  purchase 
Lands  from  the  Indians,  but  the  taxing  of  uncultivated 
Lands,  & over  turning  the  Constitution  for  Assembly 
men,  that  has  occasion’d  those  persons  mentioned  by 
his  Excellency,  to  remove  to  Pensilvania  and  other 
Colonys 

May  It  Please  yo?  Lordps 

The  Usage  we  have  received  from  his  Excellency  is 
soe  Contrary  to  the  terms  of  our  Surrender  of  Govern- 
ment, to  the  Assurances  we  had  from  your  Lordps  of 
the  due  observance  of  them,  and  to  the  plain  Instruc- 
tions given  by  yor  Lordps  to  his  Excellency,  that  We 
humbly  hope  It  will  not  be  thought  any  im’odesty  or 
want  of  Duty  in  us  to  protest,  as  we  doe  protest, 
against  all  the  proceedings  of  the  last  Assembly, 
wherein  by  the  Arbitrary  Exclusion  of  three  members 
without  any  just  Exception,  the  Country  was  not 
duely  reprsented  ; and  to  beg  your  Lordps  intercession 
with  her  Majty,  that  the  Acts  passd  in  that  Assembly 
may  not  be  confirmed  by  her  Roy  all  Assent. 


1705]  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


95 


We  further  pray,  that  Coll  Lewis  Morris  who  has 
been  a Second  time  Suspended  from  his  place  in  Coun- 
cill  by  his  Excellency,  only  for  using  the  Freedom 
which  every  Member  of  the  Councill  is  intitled  to,  and 
ought  to  Exercise,  of  Opposing  any  Bill  brought  before 
them,  if  he  conceives  It  prejudiciall  to  the  Interest 
either  of  the  Country  in  Generali  or  of  any  Particular 
persons,  may  be  restored,  and  that  your  Lordp8  will 
please,  to  place  in  the  Boomes  of  such  as  are  dead, 
some  of  the  persons  following,  viz1  mr  Miles  Foster, 
Mr  Bichard  Townley,  Mr  Hugh  Hoddy,  M.r  William 
Hall  and  Mr  John  Harrison  who  are  men  of  known 
Integrity  and  Estates,  and  as  a further  security  of  our 
Estates  there  and  that  no  persons  may  at  any  time  be 
admitted  of  the  Govern"  Councill  or  to  be  in  the 
Commission  of  the  peace  or  of  the  Militia  but  such  who 
have  Beall  Estates  in  the  province  Suitable  to  their 
Stations  and  who  reside  there. 


[April  17th  1705] 

E.  Bichier 
Tho  Skinner 
Bichard  Greenaway 
Jos:  Collyer 
Cha’  Michel  Jr 
Jos  Mickelthwait. 
Tho  Lewes 
W“  Snellig 
Michael  Watts 


Tho  Lane 
Paul  Doeminique 
Jn°  Bridges. 

Bob  Michel 
Tho.  Burrow. 
Fra’.  Michel 
Ebenr  Jones 
Jos:  Brooksbank 
Jn°  Norton 
Jo?  Bennett 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


96 


[1705 


Additional  Instruction  to  Lord  Cornbury. 

| From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  No.  12,  p.  190.  | 

Representation  with  Draught  of  Additional 
Instruction  to  the  Lord  Cornbury,  relating 
to  the  Government  of  New  Jersey. 

To  the  Queen’s  most  Excelb  Majesty. 

May  it  please  Your  Majesty; 

Having  receiv’d  Letters  from  the  Lord  Cornbury, 
Your  Majesty’s  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  Representing 
to  Us  several  Particulars  wherein  Your  Majesty’s  Ser- 
vice may  require  some  Alterations  in  Your  Majesty’s 
former  Instructions  to  his  Lordship,  and  havmg  heard 
the  Persons  concerned  in  the  Propriety  of  that  Coun- 
try; We  herewith  humbly  present  to  Your  Majesty, 
the  Draught  of  an  Additional  Instruction  to  the  Lord 
Cornbury,  Which  We  humbly  conceive  will  very  much 
conduce  to  the  better  Settlement  of  that  Province. 
Which  is  most  humbly  Submitted. 

Dartmouth. 

Ph:  Meadows. 

Whitehall,  April  20*?1  1705.  WM  Blathwayt. 

JNO  PoLLEXFEN. 
Matt;  Prior. 


Additional  Instruction  to  the  Lord  Cornbury, 
Enclosed  in  the  foregoing  Representation. 

Additional  Instructions1  to  our  Right  Trusty  and 
Wellbeloved  Edward  Lord  Cornbury,  our  Capt"  Gen- 
eral and  Governor  in  Chief  in  & over  Our  Province  of 


printed  in  Smith’s  History  of  New  Jersey,  p.  23o. — Ed. 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  97 

Nova  Caesarea  or  New- Jersey  in  America:  Given  at 
our  Court  at  S*  James’s  the  3?  Day  of  May  1705.  In 
the  Fourth  Year  of  Our  Reign. 

Whereas  by  a Clause  in  Our  General  Instructions 
to  You  for  the  Government  of  Our  Province  of  New- 
Jersey,  the  Representatives  for  the  General  Assembly 
of  that  Province  are  appointed  to  be  Chosen  as  follows, 
viz*  Two  by  the  Inhabitants,  Housholders  of  the  City 
or  Town  of  Perth  Amboy  in  East  New- Jersey,  Two  by 
the  Inhabitants,  Housholders  of  the  City  and  Town  of 
Bridlington  in  West  New- Jersey;  Ten  by  the  Free- 
holders of  East  New- Jersey,  and  Ten  by  the  Freehold- 
ers of  West-New -Jersey;  and  it  having  been  Repre- 
sented to  Us  by  You  Our  Governor,  that  several 
Inconveniences  have  arisen  from  the  foresaid  Manner 
of  Choosing  Representatives;  It  is  our  Will  and 
Pleasure,  and  you  are  accordingly  to  make  the  same 
known  in  the  most  publick  manner,  that  the  Method 
of  Choosing  Representatives  for  ye  future,  be  as  fol- 
lows, viz*  Two  by  the  Inhabitants  Housholders  of  the 
City  or  Town  of  Perth  Amboy  in  East  New- Jersey, 
and  Two  by  the  Freeholders  of  each  of  the  five 
Counties  of  the  said  Division  of  East  New- Jersey:  Two 
by  the  Inhabitants  Housholders  of  the  City  or  Town 
of  Bridlington  in  West  New  Jersey.  Two  by  the 
Inhabitants  Householders  of  the  Town  of  Salem  in  the 
said  Division,  & Two  by  the  Freeholders  of  each  of  the 
Four  Counties  in  the  said  Division  of  West  New  Jer- 
sey; which  Persons  so  to  be  Chosen  make  up  together 
the  Number  of  Twenty-Four  Representatives,  as  limit- 
ed by  Our  former  Instructions.  And  it  is  Our  further 
Will  & Pleasure  that  no  Person  shall  be  capable  of 
being  Elected  a Representative  by  the  Freeholders  of 
either  Division,  as  aforesaid,  or  afterwards  of  Sitting 
in  General  Assemblies,  who  shall  not  have  1000  Acres 
of  Land  of  an  Estate  of  Freehold  in  his  own  Right, 
within  the  Division  for  which  he  shall  be  Chosen,  or  a 


98  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

Personal  Estate  in  Money  Goods,  or  Chattels  to  the 
Value  of  £500  Sterling;  and  all  Inhabitants  of  Our 
said  Province  being  so  Qualify’d  as  aforesaid,  are 
hereby  declar’d  capable  of  being  Elected  accordingly. 
And  it  is  likewise  Our  Pleasure  that  no  Freeholder 
shall  be  capable  of  Voting  in  the  Election  of  such 
Representatives,  who  shall  not  have  100  Acres  of  Land 
of  an  Estate  of  Freehold  in  his  own  Right  within  the 
County  for  which  he  shall  so  Vote,  or  a personal  Estate 
in  Money,  Goods  or  Chattels  to  the  Value  of  £50  Ster- 
ling, and  all  Freeholders  in  our  said  Province  being  so 
qualify’d  as  aforesaid,  are  hereby  declared  capable  of 
Voting  in  the  Election  of  Representatives;  which 
Number  of  Representatives  shall  not  be  enlarged  or 
diminished,  or  the  Manner  of  Electing  them  (hereby 
directed)  altered  there  otherwise  than  by  an  Act  or 
Acts  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  Confirmed  by  the 
Approbation  of  Us,  Our  Heirs  and  Successors. 

And  whereas  it  may  be  inconvenient  that  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Our  said  Province 
of  New- Jersey  be  both  of  them  absent  from  thence  at 
the  same  time;  It  is  Our  Will  and  Pleasure,  That  as 
soon  as  the  General  Assembly  of  Our  .said  Province 
shall  have  provided  a House  for  ye  Reception  of  you 
Our  Governor,  and  Our  Lieutenant-Governor;  with  a 
convenient  Room  for  the  Meeting  of  Our  Council,  and 
settled  convenient  Salaries,  which  you  are  in  Our  Name 
to  press  them  to  do;  that  either  you  or  our  Lieutenant- 
Governor  do  constantly  reside  in  Our  said  Province, 
and  that  you  be  not  both  absent  at  the  same  time. 

It  is  likewise  Our  Will  and  Pleasure,  That  no  Fees  be 
exacted  or  taken  by  any  of  the  Officers  under  you  for 
the  Grants  of  Lands  made  by  the  Agents  of  the  Pro- 
prietors: and  the  said  Agents  are  to  deliver  over  to 
you  in  Council  Duplicates  of  all  such  Grants  to  be 
Registred  in  Our  Council-Books. 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


99 


Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord  Cornbury. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  12,  p.  197.] 

To  the  Right  Honourable,  the  Lord  Viscount 
Cornbury,  Her  Majesty’s  Captn  General  & 
Governor  in  Chief  of  Her  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince of  Nova  Caesarea  or  New- Jersey  in 
America ; Or  to  the  Com’ander  in  Chief  of 
the  said  Province  for  the  time  being. 

My  Lord , 

We  are  now  to  answer  your  Lordship’s  Letters  of 
the  IT!1  of  January  170J,  and  the  4th  of  November  last, 
relating  to  your  Government  of  New- Jersey. 

We  have  considered  what  your  Lordship  writes 
about  the  Method  of  Chusing  Assembly-Men  as  ap- 
pointed by  your  Instructions;  and  have  laid  before  Her 
Majesty  the  Draught  of  an  Additional  Instruction  for 
altering  the  same,  which  We  hope  will  tend  more  to 
the  Ease  and  Advantage  of  the  Province. 

We  agree  with  your  Lordship,  that  the  Bill  to  Settle 
and  Confirm  the  Estates  of  the  Proprietors,  as  you 
have  transmitted  it  to  Us,  was  unfit  to  be  past;  your 
Lordship  will  do  well  therefore  upon  all  Occasions  to 
Examine  carefully  all  the  Bills  that  shall  be  presented 
unto  You,  to  be  Passed  into  Acts. 

We  observe  what  your  Lordship  writes  about  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Assembly,  in  relation  to  the  Set- 
tling of  a Revenue;  whereupon  We  must  advise  your 
Lordship  to  move  the  next  Assembly  that  they  settle 
the  Revenue  for  21  years,  and  in  case  they  will  not 
come  up  to  that  Form,  your  Lordship  do  not  accept  it 
for  less  than  Eleven  Years;  We  think  that  £1500  for 


100  LORD  CORXBURy’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1705 

the  first  Year,  and  £1000  p annu’  for  the  succeeding 
Years  may  be  sufficient,  if  disposed  of  as  follows,  viz* 
£400  p annu’  for  your  Salary,  & travelling  Charges; 
£200  p annu’  for  the  Salary  of  ye  Lieutenant  Governor, 
and  for  his  travelling  Charges;  and  the  Residue  for  the 
contingent  Charges  of  the  Government. 

And  you  are  to  recommend  to  the  Assembly,  that  in 
the  Taxes  to  be  raised,  there  be  a due  Proportion  in 
the  Assessments  that  shall  be  laid,  as  well  upon  those 
Lands  according  to  their  Value,  as  upon  Personal 
Estates. 

We  think,  your  Lordship  will  do  well  to  leave  the 
Determination  about  Elections  of  Representatives  to 
that  House,  and  not  to  intermeddle  therein,  otherwise 
than  by  Issuing  of  Writs  for  any  New  Election. 

And  in  all  other  Matters  your  Lordship  is  to  take 
especial  Care,  that  in  the  Administration  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, all  things  be  carry’d  on  in  the  most  equitable 
& satisfactory  manner  to  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Prov- 
ince, with  regard  to  their  separate  Interests. 

And  as  your  Lordship  does  take  notice  to  Us,  That 
some  Members  are  Chosen  into  the  Assembly,  that  are 
uncapable  of  Serving  Her  Majesty  and  their  Country: 
against  which,  Provision  is  now  made  by  Her  Majesty’s 
Instruction  by  the  enlarging  of  the  necessary  Qualifi- 
cations; so  We  hope,  your  Lordship  will  take  care  on 
Your  part,  that  no  other  Persons  be  Chosen  Justices 
of  the  Peace  or  other  Officers,  but  such  as  may  be  of  a 
Competent  Estate  and  Capacity  for  that  Service. 

We  are  My  Lord, 

Your  Lordship’s  Most  Humble  Servants, 

Dartmouth. 

Ph.  Meadows. 

Whitehall,  April  20M1  1705.  W”  Blathwayt. 

JNO  POLLEXFEN. 

Mat.  Prior. 


1705J 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


101 


Memorial  of  Wm.  Dockwra , Secretary  and  Register 
of  East  Jersey , to  the  Lords  of  Trade , proposing 
Peter  Sonmans  to  he  one  of  the  Council  of  New 
Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  12.] 

Mem!1  from  M?  Dockwra,  proposing  Mr  Sonmans 
to  be  of  the  Council  of  New  Jersey. 

To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lords  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Trade  & Plantations. 

The  Memoriall  of  the  Com’itte  of  Proprietors  of  the 
Eastern  division  of  the  province  of  New  Jersey  in 
America. 

The  said  Proprietors  Humbly  beg  leave  to  represent 
to  your  Lord’pps  That  before  the  Proprietors  of  the 
now  United  Province  surrendered  their  right  of  Gov- 
ernment to  her  Majesty,  among  other  things  then 
insisted  That  such  Agent  as  they  should  at  any  time 
appoint  to  goe  over  and  manage  their  affaires  in  the 
said  Province  might  always  be  of  the  Governours 
Councill,  To  informe  the  Governour  of  the  State  of  all 
matters  relateing  to  their  Lands  Quit  rents  & other 
their  Proprietary  concerns  that  might  come  before 
him  and  to  look  after  their  Generali  and  particular 
Interests  to  defend  them  from  wrong,  wc."  your 
Lord’pps  were  pleased  to  Judge  so  very  Just  & reason- 
able, That  Collonell  Morris  (who  the  West  Jersey 
Society  had  made  their  Agent)  was  admitted  one  of 
the  Councill,  but  the  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Divi- 
sion not  then  haveing  chosen  any  Agent  they  could 
not  nominate  a person  for  that  Station  which  lost  that 
present  opportunity. 


102  LOKD  CORXBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION-.  [1705 

But  The  said  prop?  sometime  time  after  being  In- 
formed by  Sundry  Letters  from  Jersey  of  two  vacances 
in  the  Councill  by  the  death  of  Samuel  Leonard  who 
had  been  appointed  for  the  Easterne  and  Edward  Hun- 
lock  for  the  Western  Division,  and  having  constituted 
Peter  Son  mans  their  Agent  and  Gen’all  Attorney,  Did 
several!  times  apply  to  your  Lordshipps  for  his  admis- 
sion to  fill  upp  the  vacancy  of  Leonards  Decease,  But 
your  Lord’pps  were  pleased  to  deferr  your  Answer 
untill  you  Should  receive  Letters  from  his  Excellency 
my  Lord  Cornbury — 

Your  Lord’pps  haveing  afterwards  received  Letters 
from  my  Lord  Cornbury  and  been  pleased  to  commu- 
nicate sundry  abstracts  of  them  to  the  said  Proprietors 
They  presented  an  Answer  to  your  Lord’pps  in  their 
memorial!  of  the  5*h  of  April  last  1705,  and  therein 
againe  prayed  that  your  Lord’pps  would  please  to 
recomend  two  such  persons  to  her  Majesty  to  fill  up 
the  said  vacancys  as  in  your  Lord’pps  would  then  have 
been  pleased  to  recomend  Peter  Sonmans  as  Agent 
for  the  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Division  of  the  said 
Province — 

But  the  said  Proprietors  being  since  informed  That 
your  Lord’pps  have  not  yet  been  pleased  to  present  any 
person  to  fill  upp  the  said  vacancys,  & that  your 
Lord’pps  other  dispatches  to  his  Excellency  my  Lord 
Cornbury  are  not  hitherto  signed  by  Her  Majesty,  pre- 
sumeing  It  may  not  be  too  late  for  the  Ships  now 
goeing  under  convoy  to  new  York  by  which  opportu- 
nity they  are  ready  to  dispatch  M Sonmans  their 
Agent 

They  crave  leave  to  Informe  your  Lord’pps  That  it 
will  be  an  unspeakable  loss  to  their  Affaires,  if  their 
said  Agent  be  not  recomended  to  be  admitted  into  the 
Governours  Councell,  which  they  are  the  more  willing 
to  flatter  themselves  your  Lord’pps  will  not  now  deferr, 
because  your  Lord’pps  have  all  along  seem’d  convinced 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


103 


of  the  Reasonablenesse  of  their  desire,  and  that  the 
Agent  for  the  West  Jersey  Society  have  already 
obtained  that  favour. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  your  Lord’pps  by 
order  of  the  Com’itte  of  Proprietors  of  the  Eastern 
Division  of  New  Jersey. 

WM  DockwRA 


May  81?  1705 


Seer  & Reg1; 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board  of  Trade , 
about  New  Jersey  affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  York,  Vol.  14  old,  1!  new,  X 48.] 

New  York  July  the  8th  1705 

My  Lords 

Since  my  letters  to  your  Lordshipps  of  the  19th  of 
february  last,  which  went  by  the  way  of  Boston,  to  her 
Maiesty’s  Ship  Advice,  I have  not  had  any  opportunity 
of  writing  to  your  Lordshipps  till  now  (except  one 
letter  which  I sent  by  the  way  of  Anbego)  but  now 
Collonell  Quarv,  having  informed  me,  that  his  affairs 
called  him  into  England,  I make  use  of  this  good 
opportunity,  to  acquaint  you  with  what  has  occurred 
since  my  last,  both  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  and 
the  Province  of  New  Jersey.  * * * * * * * * 
Now  I beg  leave  to  inform  your  Lordshipps  that  with 
respect  to  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  very  little  New 
has  hapned,  since  the  account  I gave  you  by  her 
Maiesty’s  Ship  Advice,  Captain  Morrice  Commander, 
who  sailed  from  Piscatagua  some  time  in  Aprill  last, 
in  those  letters  I acquainted  you  that  I had  adiourned 
the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  till  May  following,  at 
which  time  I went  to  Burlington  to  meet  the  Assembly 


104 


LOIU)  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


according  to  adiournment,  the  Members  of  the  East- 
ern Division  came  to  Burlington,  but  the  Members  of 
the  Western  Division  did  not  appear,  except  those  who 
served  for  Burlington,  soe  I adiourned  by  Proclama- 
tion for  a few  days,  in  hopes  the  Members  would  come 
up,  but  they  did  not,  the  Members  of  the  Eastern 
Division  grew  uneasy,  and  presented  a Petition  to  me, 
to  desire  they  might  have  leave  to  return  to  their 
Countiy  affairs,  their  attendance  being  to  noe  purpose, 
since  the  Members  of  the  Western  Division  did  not 
attend,  and  farther  prayed  that  the  Assembly  might 
be  adiourned  to  some  more  seasonable  time,  this  Peti- 
tion being  delivered  to  me,  and  being  informed  by  very 
good  hands  that  the  reason  why  the  Members  of  the 
Western  Division  (who  are  all  Quakers  except  one,  did 
not  attend)  was  because  some  body  had  told  them  that 
if  the  Assembly  did  not  meet,  it  was  disol ved  of  course, 
and  they  had  a mind  to  try  a new  Election,  to  see  if 
they  could  not  get  some  of  their  friends  in  for  the 
Eastern  Division,  and  having  waited  for  them  upwards 
of  three  weeks,  and  the  time  for  the  sitting  of  the 
Assembly  of  New  York  drawing  near,  I thought  it 
proper  to  adiourn  the  Assembly  of  that  Province  to  the 
month  of  8ber  next,  to  sit  at  Amboy,  at  which  time  I 
will  not  fail  to  attend  my  duty  there,  whether  they 
will  come  or  not,  I can  not  tell,  however  by  the  first 
opportunity  that  offers  afterwards,  I shall  acquaint 
your  Lordshipps  with  all  matters  that  shall  happen; 
In  the  mean  time  I entreat  you  that  a Great  Seale  may 
sent  for  that  Province,  there  having  been  none  yet, 
for  want  of  which  many  things  remain  undone,  which 
should  be  done:  I beg  your  Lordshipps  opinion,  and 
directions,  concerning  the  Clause  in  my  Instructions, 
in  which  her  Maiesty  is  pleased  to  direct  me  in  the 
words  following,  (You  shall  alsoe  propose  unto  the 
said  Generali  Assembly,  and  use  your  utmost  en- 
deavours with  them,  that  an  Act  be  passed  for  raising 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  105 

and  setling  a publick  Revenue,  for  defraying  the 
necessary  charge  of  the  G-ouvernment  of  our  said 
Province,  in  which  provision  be  perticularly  made  for 
a competent  sailary  for  your  self  as  Captain  Generali, 
and  Gouvernor  in  chief  of  our  said  Province,  and  to 
other  and  succeeding  Captain  Generalls,  for  support- 
ing the  dignity  of  the  said  office,  as  likewise  due 
provision  for  the  respective  Members  of  our  Councill, 
and  Assembly,  and  of  all  all  other  Officers  necessary 
for  the  Administration  of  that  Gouvernment) — this  is 
the  22d  Clause  of  my  Instructions,  now  what  I intreat 
your  Lordshipp’s  opinion  in  is,  whether  her  Maiesty  is 
pleased  that  the  Gentlemen  of  her  Councill  should  have 
fixed  sallarys,  and  if  the  Members  of  the  Assembly 
should  have  sallarys  out  of  the  Revenue,  and  I have 
two  reasons  which  move  move  me  to  desire  your 
opinion  upon  this  matter,  the  first  is  because  I am 
afraid  it  will  be  a means  to  induce  the  Gentlemen  of 
her  Maiesty’s  Councill  for  the  Province  of  New  York, 
to  desire  the  same;  whereas  they  have  never  yet  had 
any  such  allowance,  the  other  is  because  the  Revenue 
will  not  answer  it,  as  for  the  Members  of  Assembly  in 
the  Province  of  New  York,  the  severall  County’s  and 
Borroughs  pay  their  Representatives  without  burthen- 
ing  the  Revenue  with  it,  and  with  submission  to  your 
Lordshipps  I conceive  it  may  be  ordered  the  same  way 
in  New  Jersey  without  any  preiuduce;  however  I shall 
observe  such  directions  as  you  shall  be  pleased  to  send 
me;  In  the  mean  time  I shall  acquaint  your  Lordships 
that  the  Revenue  is  already  raised  for  one  year, 
according  to  the  directions  of  the  Act,  and  in  the  places 
where  it  falls  the  heaviest,  it  amounts  to  noe  more 
than  two  pence  three  farthings  in  the  pound,  and  that 
according  to  the  value  set  upon  the  Land  in  the  Bill 
which  is  ten  pounds  for  every  hundred  acres,  whereas 
it  is  certain  that  Land  sells  in  New  Jersey  from  forty 
pounds,  to  sixty  pounds  for  a hundred  acres,  soe  that 


106 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1T05 

in  truth  the  tax  does  not  amount  to  more  than  three 
farthings  in  the  pound  of  the  real  Yallue.  which  makes 
the  people  very  easy;  this  is  all  I shall  trouble  your 
Lordshipps  with  at  this  time,  soe  I remain  with  great 
respect 

My  Lords 

Y our  Lordshipps  most  faithfull  humble  servant 

CORNBUBY 

It  is  upwards  of  seaven  months  since  I have  heard 
one  syllable  from  England. 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  Mr.  Secretary  Hedges . 
about  New  Jersey. 

[From  New  York  Col.  Docts..  Vol.  IV.  p.  1155.] 

Sir  New  York  July  15th  1705 

[Extract.] 

* * * * * Now  as  to  the  Province  of  New  Jer- 
sey I shall  first  observe  that  His  Royal  Highnesse  the 
Duke  of  York  made  a grant  of  all  that  land  now  called 
New  Jersey  to  my  Lord  Berkley  and  Sir  George  Carte- 
ret; they  divided  it  into  East  and  West  Jersey,  and 
after  that  sold  it  to  severail  persons  who  are  now 
called  the  Generali  Proprietors;  it  is  a large  and  fertile 
Country  it  extends  from  Cape  May  northwards  above 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  along  Delaware  River  and 
eastwards  it  extends  in  some  places  fifty -four  miles,  in 
others  upwards  of  sixty  miles:  the  Eastern  Division  is 
inhabited  by  English,  Scotch  and  Dutch;  the  English 
are  the  most  numerous,  but  the  Scotch  during  the  time 
of  the  Proprietary  Gouvemment  had  the  sole  rule  in 
that  Division:  the  Western  division  is  inhabited  by 
English  and  a few  Swedes,  who  live  in  the  southern- 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


107 


most  parts  of  it;  the  Quakers  are  pretty  numerous  in 
this  Division  and  in  the  time  of  the  Proprietary  Gouv- 
ernment  they  had  all  the  power  in  their  hands,  and 
used  it  very  arbitrarily.  There  is  a Church  erected 
here  at  Burlington,  which  I have  named  S*  Ann’s 
Church  and  notwithstanding  that  Burlington  is  the 
Chief  habitation  of  the  Quakers  I have  seen  a congre- 
gation of  above  three  hundred  people  at  Church  there. 
These  two  Divisions  when  under  the  Proprietary  Gov- 
ernment, were  two  distinct  Provinces,  had  distinct 
Assembly s,  and  the  laws  of  one  division  were  not  laws 
in  the  other;  There  have  for  some  years  past  been 
great  disputes  between  those  persons  here,  who  call 
themselves  Proprietors,  and  the  people;  by  reason 
whereof  there  has  been  noe  Administration  of  Justice 
for  at  least  two  or  three  years  before  the  Gouvernment 
was  surrendered  to  the  Queen,  but  now  I hope  a little 
time  will  quiet  all  those  disputes;  the  Assembly  of  that 
Province  have  sat  three  several  times,  in  the  last  of 
which  they  have  settled  a Revenue  for  two  years,  of 
two  thousand  pounds  a year;  they  did  passe  some 
other  Acts,  all  of  which  I transmitted  into  England  by 
Her  Majesty’s  Ship  Advice.  Thus  I have  given  you  a 
short  account  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  I have 
nothing  farther  to  trouble  with,  but  to  intreat  you  to 
believe  that  I shall  always  punctually  observe  all  such 
directions  as  you  shall  favour  me  with,  and  that  I am 
with  very  great  respect 


Sir 


I have  not  had  one  line 
from  England  above 
these  seaven  months. 


Your  most  faithful 

humble  Servant 
CORNBURY. 


S-  Charles  Hedges. 


108 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


Attorney  General  Northey  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , as 
to  the  rights  of  the  Proprietors  of  New  Jersey  in 
Fines , Escheats , &c. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  B.  18.] 

M.r  Attorney  Gen1!8  Answer  to  a Letter  writ  him 
the  6 July  last,  relating  to  Fines  Forfeit- 
ures & Escheats ; As  also  to  the  Power  of 
appointing  Rangers  of  Woods  &c  in  New 
Jersey 

To  the  RT  Honb1e  the  Lords  Commks-  for  Trade 
and  Plantations. 

May  it  please  y1  Lord’-* 

In  humble  Obedience  to  y.r  Lord1!8  Commands  Signi- 
fyed  to  me  by  M.1'  Popple  Junr  y.r  Secretary  I have 
Considered  of  ye  Annexed  Lre  and  papers  therewith 
Sent,  and  have  perus’d  y.r  Lr.s  patents  and  Surrendl 
mentioned  in  ye  scl  Lett!"  And  am  of  opinion  That  ye 
Fines  Forfeitures  and  Escheats  in  New  Jersey  belong 
to  her  Maty  and  not  to  the  proprietors  of  yc  Soyle  of 
that  Colony,  For  as  to  yc  Fines  and  Forfeitures  for 
Offences,  They  were  not  granted  to  his  LateMa^  King 
James  2d  when  Duke  of  York  by  the  Lrs  patents 
Granted  to  him  of  ye  Jerseys  and  other  Lands  under 
wch  Grants  The  prsent  Proprietors  Claim,  And  as  to 
ye  Escheats  The  Whole  Tract  was  Granted  in  ffee  to 
yl  D.  of  York  to  be  holden  of  yc  King  in  Co’mon  Socage 
as  of  his  Mannor  -of  East  Greenwich,  and  ye  inherit- 
ance of  Pl  being  Granted  away  by  ye  Assignees  of  ye 
Duke  to  other  Psons  in  Fee,  they  hold  of  y°  Queen  A 
not  of  ye  Proprietors  and  therefore  the  Escheat  must 
be  to  her  Maty 


1705]  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


109 


As  to  the  Appointing  of  Rangers  of  ye  Woods  The 
Inheritance  of  those  Woods  being  in  the  Proprietors 
Assignees  of  ye  D.  of  York,  I am  of  opinion  The  Right 
of  Appointing  Rangers  in  y™  belongs  to  the  owners  of 
those  Woods  and  not  to  her  Ma1? 

All  wch  is  most  humbly  Submitted  to  y-  Lordps  great 
Wisdom 

Edw  Northey 
Oct  19th  1705. 


Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
complaining  of  Lord  Cornbury’s  treatment  of  him. 

[From  New  York  Col.  Docts,  Vol.  IV..  p.  1162.] 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  Commissrs  for 
Trade  and  Plantations 

My  Lords 

I have  formerly  since  my  arrival  into  this  part  of 
the  world  tendred  my  most  humble  duty  to  your 
Lordpps  and  should  not  have  omitted  doing  the  same 
by  evry  conveyance,  had  I not  been  fearful  of  disturb- 
ing your  Lordpps  more  weighty  affaires  without  having 
any  matter  of  moment  to  acquaint  your  Lordpps  with 
all,  for  since  my  arrival  and  publication  of  Her 
Majestys  Commissions  appointing  me  Lieu1  Gov1  of 
the  Province  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  I have 
not  been  allowed  by  Mylord  Cornbury  to  Act  as  Lieu1 
Govr  and  not  having  been  of  the  Council,  or  been 
acquainted  with  the  affairs  of  either  of  the  provinces, 
so  as  to  give  an  acc!  of  the  same  unto  your  Lordpps  has 
been  the  only  reason  of  my  silence. 

I believe  her  Majesties  intention  in  appointing  me  to 
be  Lieu1  Govr  of  the  two  provinces  over  which  Mylord 


L10 


LORD  CORXBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


Cornbury  is  Capt?  General,  was:  that  neither  of  the 
two  Govern*  ■ * should  at  any  time  be  wanting  of  a per- 
son to  take  care  of  them,  and  that  while  Mylord  Corn- 
bury was  in  one  of  the  Govern*.*  I should  be  in  the 
other  and  act  according  to  my  Commissions  and  such 
Instructions  as  I should  receive  from  Her  Majesty  or 
Mylord  Cornbury  here;  but  I have  not  yet  received 
any  Instructions  either  fron}  home  or  from  Mylord 
Cornbury  here  to  Act  by. — 

About  the  beginning  of  November  last  His  Lord? 
left  the  Province  of  New  York,  where  I then  was,  and 
went  to  New  Jersey  to  meet  the  Assembly,  in  a little 
time  after  a letter  came  from  the  frontiers  at  Albany 
directed  for  Her  Majesties  service  to  Mylord  Cornbury 
being  sent  from  the  Gentlemen  at  Albany  appointed  to 
manage  the  Indian  affairs  to  him,  this  letter  having 
been  delivered  to  me  and  the  Messenger  that  brought 
the  same  discoursing  in  the  Town,  that  several  Indians 
were  seen  skulking  about  Albany  and  Schenectady, 
and  that  the  people  there  were  much  frightened,  and  I 
being  informed  that  that  letter  was  sent  to  Mylord 
Cornbury,  on  that  head,  I conveened  the  Council,  and 
took  their  advice  concerning  the  matter  who  advised 
me  to  open  the  letter  which  I did  in  Council,  and 
found  a paper  inclosed  in  Indian  and  Dutch  which  I 
immediately  got  translated  into  English,  and  sent  the 
same  Express  to  Burlington  in  New  Jersey  to  His 
Lordp  (a  copy  of  which  and  of  the  translation  from 
the  Indian  and  Dutch  I enclose  to  your  Lordpps, 
together  with  a copy  of  his  Lordp’s  letter  to  me  on  the 
receipt  thereof)  by  which  your  Lordpps  will  perceive 
that  Mylord  Cornbury  directs  me  (while  he  himself  is 
in  New  Jersey)  to  repair  thither,  he  having  appointed 
that  for  my  station  and  New  York  to  be  left  without 


1 See  ante,  page  67,  for  the  correspondence,  a copy  of  which  was  transmitted  with 
this  letter.— Ed. 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  Ill 

either  Govr  or  Lieut1  Govern^.  I immediately  obeyed 
his  Lordps  commands  and  on  my  arrival  at  Burlington 
waited  on  his  Lordp  for  his  directions,  but  did  not,  nor 
have  to  this  day  received  any  instructions  from  him. — 

About  three  months  since,  (I  having  been  before  that 
time  commanded  to  Burlington  by  his  Lordp)  and  then 
residing  there,  one  of  our  Chief  Indian  Sachems, 
having  travelled  from  this  Country  to  Pennsylvania  to 
Trade  and  having  gott  a pass  from  the  Govr  of  that 
Province  to  Burlington,  and  being  arrived  here  he 
applyed  to  me  for  a pass  to  the  province  of  New  York, 
which  I granted  to  him,  of  which  Mylord  Cornbury 
being  acquainted,  told  me  that  I had  done  what  I had 
no  power  to  do  that  it  was  his  prerogative  only  to 
grant  passes,  wherein  I desired  that  his  Lordp  would 
please  give  me  Instructions,  that  I might  know  what 
I had  to  do,  but  he  told  me,  he  did  not  design  I should 
Act  at  all,  and  that  therefore  he  would  not  give  me 
any  instructions,  adding  further  that  when  he  was  in 
either  of  His  Governmts  of  New  York  or  New  Jersey 
he  was  in  both. 

These  My  lords  are  the  only  two  Acts  of  Govern1  I 
have  done  since  my  arrival  here,  of  which  I believe  it 
my  duty  to  acquaint  your  Lordships. 

I humbly  pray  that  since  Mylord  Cornbury  does  not 
think  fitt  to  give  me  any  directions  or  Instructions  to 
Act  by  as  Lieut1  Governour  of  her  Matys  said  two 
provinces,  that  your  Lordpps  will  be  pleased  to  give  me 
directions  how  I shall  discharge  my  duty  to  Her 
Majesty  with  relation  to  the  Commissions  Her  Majesty 
has  been  pleased  to  grant  me  the  doing  of  which  none 
shall  be  more  ready  and  willing  than — Mylord s 

Your  Lordpps  most  faithfull 
Burlington  in  New  Jersey  most  obedient  servant 
10th  Novr  705.  Rich0  Ingoldesby. 


112 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


Lord  Cornbunj  to  Mr  Secretary  Hedges , on  New  Jer- 

sey  affairs 

LFrom  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  1768.] 

New  York  9ber  the  22d  1705 
Sir 

[Extract.] 

The  very  day  that  I Adjourned  the  Assembly  of 
New  York  I went  towards  Amboy  to  meet  the  Assem- 
bly of  New  Jersey,  which  stood  adjourned  to  the  15th 
of  8ber  which  was  a Munday.  I arrived  there  on  Sun- 
day morning  before,  very  early,  having  been  upon  the 
water  all  night.  When  I arrived  there  I found  but 
two  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  come  from  the 
Western  Division,  the  rest,  being  Quakers,  think  I am 
bound  to  wait  their  leisure.  There  were  none  of  the 
Members  of  the  Western  Division  come  neither  : they 
are  all  Quakers  too,  except  one : but  on  the  17th  the 
House  sat,  on  the  18th  the  House  came  to  this  resolu- 
tion, the  motion  being  made  and  the  question  put, 
that  His  Excellency’s  speech  containing  veiy  weighty 
matter,  whether  this  House  shall  proceed  upon  any 
businesse  untill  it  be  full  or  not : it  passed  in  the  nega- 
tive. Soe  you  see  they  were  not  to  proceed  upon  any 
businesse  at  all  till  the  House  was  full.  Now  Sir  that 
you  may  the.  better  understand  what  they  mean  by 
the  House  being  full  I must  acquaint  you  that  at  the 
first  meeting  of  this  New  Assembly,  which  was  at 
Burlington  in  9bcr  170J  when  the  Members  came  before 
me  in  Councill  to  qualify  themselves,  I administered 
the  oaths  to  all  those  who  were  willing  to  swear,  and 
then  the  Quakers  were  going  to  take  their  attestation  ; 
but  two  of  the  Members  of  the  Councill,  that  is  M1 
Revell  and  Mr  Leeds  objected  against  three  of  the 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


113 


17051 


Members  of  the  Western  Division  for  not  being  qua lli - 
fied  according  to  the  Queen’s  instructions  to  me,  that 
is,  for  not  having,  a thousand  acres  of  land  in  their 
own  right  in  the  Division  for  which  they  are  chosen. 
Upon  this  I asked  the  opinion  of  the  Councill,  who 
were  of  the  opinion  that  those  against  whom  there  was 
noe  objection  should  qualify  themselves  and  that  those 
three  should  make  proof  of  their  qualifications,  that  is, 
of  their  having  a thousand  acres  of  land  each,  and 
accordingly  the  rest  were  admitted ; and  I recom- 
mended it  to  the  Assembly  to  proceed  in  the  first 
place  to  inquire  into  the  quallifications  of  those  three 
Members  excepted  against.  But  they  did  not  doe  as  I 
desired  them,  but  proceeded  upon  businesse  and 
towards  the  end  of  the  Sessions  they  sent  me  a mes- 
sage of  two  of  their  Members  in  which  they  acquainted 
me  that  they  were  satisfied  the  three  Members  except- 
ed against  were  duly  quallified.  To  which  I made 
[answer]  that  the  exceptions  were  not  taken  by  me, 
but  by  the  Councill,  and  that  if  they  would  impart 
these  proofs  to  me  in  Councill  which  had  satisfied 
them,  I would  admit  them  immediately.  But  the 
pride  of  the  Quakers  would  not  let  them  doe  that,  and 
the  House  was  adjourned  a few  days  afterwards,  to 
the  month  of  May  following,  and  those  three  Members 
not  admitted.  In  May  I went  to  Burlington  to  meet 
the  Assembly,  but  the  Members  of  the  Western  Divi- 
sion not  coming  I was  forced  to  adjourn  the  Assembly 
to  the  month  of  8ber  to  meet  at  Amboy,  at  which  time 
they  made  the  Resolve  mentioned  on  the  other  side, 
and  sent  me  the  same  message  they  had  sent  me  a 
year  agoe  about  the  three  Members,  to  which  I made 
the  same  answer.  Whereupon  they  sent  the  three 
Members  to  prove  their  quallifications.  This  took  some 
days,  because  some  papers  were  wanting  : as  soon  as 
those  papers  were  come  they  proceeded  to  prove  that 
they  were  each  of  them  possessed  of  a thousand  acres 
8 


114 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


of  land,  but  I can't  say  it  was  in  their  own  right ; for 
there  is  a cause  depending  concerning  some  of  their 
lands.  However  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  were 
of  opinion  they  ought  to  be  admitted  & accordingly 
they  were,  and  I sent  the  Secretary  to  acquaint  the 
House  that  they  had  qualhfied  themselves;  but  instead 
of  proceeding  upon  businesse  they  adjourned  till  the 
next  day  which  was  a Saturday,  and  then  they  ad- 
journed to  the  Tuesday  following.  I asked  the  Speaker 
how  they  came  to  adjourn  for  soe  long  a time  con- 
sidering how  late  it  was  in  the  year.  He  told  me  he 
and  his  friends  must  goe  to  the  yearly  meeting  which 
was  to  be  held  at  Shrewsbury  the  Sunday  following 
soe  that  as  long  as  the  Quakers  are  allowed  to  be 
chosen  into  the  Assembly,  the  service  of  the  Queen 
and  the  businesse  of  the  country  must  wait  upon  their 
humours.  However  on  Tuesday  they  met  and  ad- 
journed again  till  the  next  day  : they  met  & I find  in 
them  Journals  these  words  : — Whereas  the  motion  was 
made  and  question  put  that  the  House  should  not 
proceed  on  any  businesse  untill  such  time  as  it  was 
full,  which  past  in  the  negative,  and  that  whereas 
now  the  said  obstruction  is  removed  and  the  House 
being  full.  Resolved  that  the  House  shall  forthwith 
proceed  upon  businesse.  Now  I must  observe  to  you 
that  at  the  time  they  said  the  House  was  full,  there 
were  three  Christian  members  wanting,  but  the  three 
Quakers  being  got  in  the  House  was  full,  soe  that  it 
was  not  a full  House  of  Members  that  they  wanted, 
but  a full  House  of  Quakers,  now  their  being  a full 
House  as  they  call  it.  they  think  fit  to  make  an  Addresse, 
of  which  I send  you  a copy  : how  well  they  have  fol- 
lowed their  addresse  in  their  acting,  their  Journall  of 
which  I send  you  a copy  will  best  show.  However 
seeing  they  were  resolved  to  doe  nothing  and  hearing 
from  New  York  that  that  part  of  the  Jamaica  fleet 
which  had  put  in  there  was  almost  ready  to  sail,  I was 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


115 


forced  to  adjourn  the  Assembly  to  the  first  day  of  May 
next  to  meet  at  Burlington  : where  I will  not  fail,  if  I 
am  alive,  to  be  at  the  time  appointed,  to  see  if  they 
will  do  any  thing  even  for  their  own  good.  Thus  I 
have  given  you  an  account  of  what  has  happened 
since  I wrote  last ; if  I have  made  any  mistake  in  my 
proceedings  here  I beg  I may  receive  your  commands 
how  to  rectifie  them,  which  shall  always  be  obeyed  by 
Sir 


Your  Most  faithfull  humble  servant 

Cornbury 


Sr  Cha:  Hedges 


Lords  of  Trade  proposing  Gentlemen  for  the  Council 
of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  12,  page  253.] 

Representation  proposing  Mr  Townley,  Mr  Cox, 
& Mr  Mompesson,  to  be  of  the  Council  of 
New  Jersey.1 2 

To  the  Queen’s  most  ExcellT  Majesty. 

May  it  please  Your  Majesty; 

Having  receiv’d  Letters  from  the  Lord  Cornbury, 
Your  Majesty’s  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  wherein 
amongst  other  things  he  has  acquainted  us  that  by 
reason  of  the  Death  of  three  of  the  Members  of  Your 
Majesty’s  Council  there,  he  had  admitted  "Colonel  Rich- 


1 By  Order  of  Council,  November  29th,  1705,  the  gentlemen  recommended  were 
confirmed  in  their  respective  positions,  as  recorded  in  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey. 
Vol.  1,  B 20.—  Ed. 

2 Richard  Townley  was  a prominent  resident  at  Elizabethtown.  He  came  to  the 
. Province  in  1684.  having  arrived  at  Virginia  the  year  previous  in  the  suite  of  Lord 

Effingham,  Governor  of  Virginia.  In  1685  he  married  the  widow  of  Gov.  Philip 
Carteret.  He  became  one  of  Lord  Neil  Campbell’s  Council  in  1686;  and,  although 
a resident  of  New  Jersey,  he  was  a member  of  the  New  York  Council  in  1692  and 
1697,  although  subsequently  accused  by  Lord  Bellomont  of  never  attending  either. 
He  died  in  April,  1711,  then  holding  the  position  of  Presiding  Judge  of  the  Quarter 
Sessions,  See  Hatfield’s  History  of  Elizabeth.— Ed. 


LOR  I)  CORNBl’RY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


1705 


1 10 

ard  Townley,  'M.r  Daniel  Cox,  and  *M!  Roger  Mompes- 
son, of  whom  he  has  given  Us  a good  Character,  into 
the  said  Council ; and  prays  that  your  Majesty  would 
be  graciously  pleas’d  to  Confirm  them  in  the  said 
Places  ; We  humbly  offer,  That  Your  Majesty  be 
pleas’d  to  Confirm  and  Constitute  the  said  Ml  Richard 
Townley  M.1 2'  Daniel  Cox,  and  Mr  Roger  Mompesson, 
Members  of  Your  Majesty’s  Council  of  New  Jersey 
accordingly. 

Which  is  most  humbly  Submitted. 

Rob.  Cecill. 

Phil.  Meadows. 

W“  Blathwayt. 

JD.°  Pollfexen. 

Mat.  Prior. 

Whitehall  21^  Novb.r  1705. 


1 Colonel  Daniel  Coxe  was  son  of  Daniel  Coxe,  M.D.,  of  London  (see  Vol.  II.,  p. 
41),  who,  having  purchased  Edward  Byllynges’  right  to  West  Jersey  for  the  sum  of 
nine  thousand  pounds  sterling,  and,  as  will  be  seen  from  this  document,  become 
interested  in  East  Jersey,  was  first  thought  of  as  one  of  the  Council,  in  both  New 
York  and  New  Jersey  shortly  after  Lord  Combury’s  appointment  as  Governor; 
but  during  Governor  Hunter's  administration,  he  having  made  himself  obnoxious 
to  that  officer,  he  was  superseded,  but  was  shortly  after  elected  a member  of  the 
Assembly  of  New  Jersey  and  became  Speaker  of  that  body  in  1716.  He  was  ex- 
pelled, however,  in  1718.  In  1734  he  was  appointed  an  associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death,  in  the  spring  of  1739.  Hav- 
ing become  interested  in  Carolina,  from  a claim  his  father  had  to  the  titles  of  that 
province,  he  wrote  a treatise  in  1722,  entitled  “ A Description  of  the  English  Pro- 
vince of  Carolina,  by  the  Spaniards  called  Florida,  and  by  the  French  La  Louisi- 
ane,”  in  the  preface  to  which  occur  certain  suggestions,  looking  towards  the 
foundation  of  an  American  Union,  so  similar  to  the  so-called  “ Albany  Plan  of 
Union,”  submitted  by  Dr.  Franklin  in  1754  to  the  Convention  which  assembled  that 
year  in  Albany,  for  the  purpose  of  foi*ming  a league  with  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians, 
as  to  warrant  the  supposition  that  Dr.  Franklin  was  aware  of  their  character  and 
availed  himself  thereof.  Notwithstanding  his  connection  with  Lord  Oombury  and 
his  differences  with  Governor  Hunter  and  the  Assembly  of  the  Province,  he  lived  to 
regain  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  community  and  discharged  his  judicial 
duties  with  ability  and  integrity.  Field’s  "Provincial  Courts  of  New  Jersey.” 
—Ed. 

2 Roger  Mompesson  was  a lawyer  of  ability,  who  had  been  a member  of  two 
parliaments.  He  came  to  America  in  1703,  having  been  appointed  Judge  of  the 
Admiralty  Court  for  New  York  and  the  adjoining  colonies.  In  170.4  he  became 
Chief  Justice  of  New  York,  and  afterward  of  New  Jersey.  In  February,  1705,  he 
was  made  one  of  the  Council  of  New  York.  Mr.  Field,  in  his  “ Provincial  Courts 
of  New  Jersey,”  gives  him  credit  for  great  learning  in  his  profession,  and  for  the 
service  he  rendered  in  organizing  the  judicial  system  of  the  State.  Having  been 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


117 


Lords  of  Trade  on  Memorial  of  West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tors relating  to  Lord  Cornbury's  Proceedings .' 


[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1.  B 18.  j 

Observations  made  by  the  Lords  Comm* 1?  for 
Trade  and  Plantations  upon  the  Memorial 
of  the  Propriety  of  the  Western  Division  of 
New  Jersey,  Nov?  14:  1705 

Page  . . 1st Upon  an  Assertion  in  the  Mem11 

That  the  Government  was  Surrendered  upon  Terms  ; 
— It  is  Observed  that  the  Surrender  was  absolute  & 
without  Terms,  But  the  Lords  Comm1'  did  make  sev- 
eral of  the  Articles  desired  part  of  the  Gov?  Instruc- 
tions, And  an  Act  has  been  since  passed  for  the  better 
Regulating  that  Govern  m? 

Page  3(!  & 4tu Upon  Complaint  that  there 

has  not  been  due  Notice  and  time  given  for  chusing 
the  last  Assembly  ; — Care  shall  be  taken  that  due  & 
timely  Notice  be  given  for  the  Future,  of  the  Time 
and  Place  of  Election  of  Representatives,  and  the 
place  of  Election  to  he  within  each  respective  Town  and 
County. 

Page  7 Upon  Complaint  of  3 Members 

being  kept  out  of  the  Assembly,  —The  Gov!'  shall  be 
writ  to  ab-  the  three  members,  wc.h  he  refused  to  admit 
into  the  Assembly. 


recommended  for  the  Council  of  Lord  Corabury,  he  performed  the  duties  of  his 
position  very  much  in  conformity  with  the  views  of  his  Lordship,  and  not  in  a way 
to  insure  him  the  affection  of  the  people.  Subsequent  pages  will  show  what  his 
relations  were  to  other  administrations.  He  married  a daughter  of  William  Pin- 
liome,  who  was  associated  with  him  on  the  Bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Prov- 
ince.— Ed. 

1 See  page  81.— Ed. 


118 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


Page  11 As  to  the  Complaint  of  the 

Gov?  appointing  Fees  for  the  Patenting  of  Lands, — 
He  has  lately  had  an  addition11  Instruction  not  to 
meddle  in  that  matter. 

Page  11 Upon  Complaint  that  the  Books 

& Records  of  the  Prop?  are  taken  out  of  their  Agents 
hands  All  the  Papers  of  Public  Proceedings  ought 
properly  to  be  in  the  Custody  of  the  Secry:  of  the 
Province  ; But  if  the  Gov!-  or  the  Secretary  have  taken 
or  Carryed  away  any  Papers  or  Records  which  relate 
only  to  the  Proprietors,  He  shal  be  Directed  not  to 
meddle  therewith,  much  less  to  permit  the  Carrying 
y“  out  of  the  Province. 

Page  12 Upon  Compb  that  the  Governor 

has  Appointed  Officers  &c  without  advice  of  the  Coun- 
cil.— It  does  not  appear  by  his  Commission  or  Instruc- 
tions that  he  is  obliged  to  have  the  Advice  of  the 
Council  in  appointing  Sherifs,  But  may  do  therein  as 
he  sees  cause  for  her  Maj?8  Service. 

Page  12 Upon  CompT  that  the  Gov- 

ernor has  put  one  Salter  into  the  Commission  of  the 
Peace  ; The  Board  will  write  to  Lord  Cornbury  there- 
upon 

Page  13 No  Alterations  have  been  made  in 

the  Instructions  relating  to  the  Purchasing  of  Lands. 

Page  15 The  Acts  past  by  the  Assembly  shal 

be  considered. 

Upon  a Desire  that  Colonel  Morris  should  be  read- 
mitted into  the  Council,  The  Board  will  (as  soon  as 
Colonel  Morris  or  his  Correspondents  here  shal  have 
agreed  upon  a due  form  of  submission  to  be  made  by 
him  to  the  Governor,)  recommend  that  his  Suspension 
be  taken  off. 


1705] 


LORD  CORNBIjRY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


119 


From  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , relative 
to  his  new  instructions , &c. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  i,  C.  1. ' 

Lre:  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board;1 

New  York  9ber  the  27th  1705 

My  Lords 

I had  the  honour  of  your  Lordshipps  letter  of  the 
20th  of  Aprill  last  by  her  Maiestys  Ship  Lastoffe,  which 
arrived  at  New  York  on  the  20th  of  July,  I have  like- 
wise received  her  Maiesty’s  Additional!  Instruction, 
which  I shall  take  care  to  observe,  I am  of  opinion  it 
will  give  satisfaction  to  the  people  of  New  Jersey, 
however  I must  observe  to  your  Lordshipps,  that  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Western  Division  of  New  Jersey, 
are  tennants  in  Common,  noe  partition  has  been  yet 
made,  soe  that  it  is  pretty  hard  to  know  who  has  a 
thousand  acres  of  Land  in  his  own  Right,  soe  that 
hitherto  those  that  are  possessed  of  a thousand  acres 
of  Land  have  been  allowed  to  be  within  the  meaning 
of  her  Majesty’s  Instructions  to  me,  and  the  Queen 
being  pleased  to  make  use  of  the  same  words  in  the 
Additional  Instruction  I have  now  received,  I shall  put 
the  same  Construction  upon  them  as  I have  done 
hitherto;  Your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to  direct  me  to 
move  the  next  Assembly  to  settle ’the  Revenue  for  21 
years,  and  if  they  will  not  come  up  to  that  term,  that 
I shall  not  accept  it  for  lesse  than  eleaven  years,  all 
which  I shall  punctually  observe;  You  are  pleased  to 
think  that  1500£  for  the  first  year,  and  1000£  p1  annum 
for  the  succeeding  years  may  be  sufficient  to  be  dis- 


Rec’d : 1st  February,  1705-6. 


120  LORD  CORNBURY*S  A D M I XISTRAT ION.  [1705 

posed  thus.  400*  a year  for  my  sailary  and  travelling 
charges,  200s  a year  for  the  Lieutenant  Gouvernor  and 
his  travelling  charges,  and  the  residue  for  the  contin- 
gent charges  of  the  Government,  as  for  what  relates 
to  me  perticularly  I shall  always  readily  submitt  to 
whatever  Orders  you  are  pleased  to  send  me,  but  as 
for  what  relates  to  the  contingent  charges  of  the 
Gouvernment,  I must  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your 
Lordshipps  that  the  Residue  of  the  sum  above  men- 
tioned will  not  be  sufficient  to  answer  the  necessary 
charges  of  the  Gouvernment,  for  that  Residue  will  be 
but  400£,  and  I conceive  there  must  be  a sailary  for  the 
Collector,  for  the  Chief  Justice,  for  the  Attorney 
Generali,  and  for  the  Secretary,  besides  other  Con- 
tingent Charges,  now  if  these  sailary s must  be  equiva- 
lent to  those  the  same  Officers  have  at  New  York,  they 
are  as  follows,  the  Collector  has  £200  sterling  a year, 
the  Chief  Justice  £130  York  money,  the  Atorney 
General  100£,  and  the  Secretary  has  30£  a year  a 
Secretary  and  £50  a year  as  Clerk  of  the  Councill, 
besides  a messenger,  and  all  Custome  house  Officers, 
and  besides  all  other  charges  that  will  accrue  acci- 
dentally, and  which  cannot  be  ascertained,  soe  that 
the  certain  charge  will  amount  to  1170£  a year  besides 
Custome  house  Officers,  a messenger  for  the  Councill, 
a Printer,  and  all  other  casualtvs;  as  for  what  relates 
to  my  own  private  concerns  as  I said  before  I shall 
alway  readily  submit  that  to  the  Queen’s  pleasure,  only 
give  me  leave  to  observe  that  the  Queen  was  pleased 
to  allow  me  500£  sterling  a year  for  the  Gouvernment 
of  New  Jersey,  and  indeed  travelling  is  very  charge- 
able in  these  parts.  Your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to 
direct  me  to  recommend  to  the  Assembly  that  in  the 
Taxes  to  be  raised  there  be  a due  proportion  in  the 
Assessments  that  shall  be  laid  as  well  upon  those  lands 
according  to  their  vallue,  as  upon  Personall  Estates. 
I will  not  fail  to  obey  your  commands;  you  are  like- 


1705]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  121 

wise  pleased  to  direct  me  to  leave  the  Determination 
about  Elections  of  Kepresentatives  to  the  House  and 
not  to  intermeddle  therein,  otherwise  than  by  Issuing- 
Writs  for  any  new  Election;  I shall  follow  your 
directions  herein  punctually.  I have  always  used  my 
utmost  endeavours  and  shall  continue  so  to  doe,  that 
the  Administration  of  the  Grouvernment  should  be 
carryed  on  in  all  things  in  the  most  equitable  and 
satisfactory  manner  to  the  Inhabitants  of  that 
Province  with  reguard  to  their  seprate  Interests,  but 
indeed  it  is  a very  hard  task,  for  that  Province  is 
inhabited  by  some  people  who  call  themselves  Proprie- 
tors, some  who  pretend  to  hold  their  Lands  by  virtue 
of  a patent  from  Collonell  Nichols,  who  was  formerly 
G-ouvernor  for  the  Duke  of  York,  and  others  who  have 
purchased  their  Lands  from  the  Proprietors,  now  it  is 
certain  that  during  the  time  the  Proprietors  had  the 
Grouvernment  in  their  hands,  they  oppressed  the  people 
extreamly.  I mean  the  Proprietors  here  upon  the 
place,  and  they  would  now  have  their  Irregular  pro- 
ceedings in  those  days,  Justified  by  an  Act  of  Assembly 
such  as  was  the  long  Bill;  however  I doe  assure  your 
Lordshipps  that  I shall  engage  in  no  party,  but  behave 
my  self  equally  to  all,  by  which  I am  satisfied  I shall 
obtain  the  ill  will  of  many  people,  however  I shall  not 
vallue  that  as  long  as  I doe  my  duty  to  the  Queen; 
I beg  leave  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  I have 
not  put  one  Justice  of  the  Peace  into  Commission,  nor 
one  Militia  Officer  yet,  without  the  recomendation  of 
some  of  the  Gfentlemen  of  her  Maiesty’s  Councill  for 
that  Province,  and  I take  them  to  be  the  fittest  persons 
to  advise  with  in  those  matters,  when  first  I published 
my  Commission  in  that  Province,  M1  Morrice  was  very 
forward  in  recomending  persons  for  the  Peace,  and  the 
Militia,  and  I have  found  by  experience  that  in  his 
recomendations  he  pitched  upon  such  persons  only  as 
he  knew  he  could  mannage  to  serve  his  Ends,  without 


122  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1706 

any  regard  to  their  capacity,  and  some  scandalous 
fellows  whom  I have  since  put  out  at  the  request  of 
some  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  for  being  drunk 
every  day,  and  perticularly  at  their  Quarter  Sessions  in 
Couid,  and  I doe  assure  you  that  my  rule  shall  always 
be  to  chuse  the  ablest  men,  and  those  of  the  best 
Estates  in  the  Country  to  fill  those  Commissions,  and 
perticularly  those  who  are  well  inclined  to  her  Maiesty’s 
service;  thus  I have  answered  your  Lordshipps  letter 
of  the  20th  of  Aprill,  I hope  to  your  satisfaction.  I 
shall  now  take  the  liberty  to  acquaint  you  that  on  the 
13th  of  8ber  last  I went  to  Amboy  to  meet  the  Assembly 
of  New  Jersey,  I got  thither  on  the  14th  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  noe  body  was  come  but  two  of  the  Councill, 
and  two  or  three  Members  of  the  Eastern  Division,  soe 
that  it  was  the  17th  of  8ber  before  the  House  sat  * * * * 
[Then  follows  the  same  information  that  was  com- 
municated in  his  letter  of  November  22d,  on  page 
112.]  * * * * Thus  I have  given  your  Lordshipps 
an  account  of  what  has  occurd  inNew  Jersey  since  I 
wrote  last.  I am 

My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most  faithful  1 

humble  servant 

CORNBURY. 


Circular  letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade , relative  to  the 
appointment  of  John  Bridger  as  Surveyor  General 
of  Her  Majesty’s  Woods. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  Plantations  General,  No.  33.  Entry  Book  D,  p.  117. J 

Circular  Lett1*  to  the  Sev!  Gov!8  on  the  Continent 
of  America. 

Sr 

Her  Majesty  having  thought  fit  to  appoint  M1  John 
Bridger  Surveyor  Generali  of  Her  Majesty’s  Woods  on 
the  Continent  of  America,  and  to  give  him  Instruc- 


1706]  LORD  CORNBURY S ADMINISTRATION.  123 

tions  for  his  better  Guidance  therein,  as  also  for 
Directing  the  Inhabitants  in  the  Places  through  which 
he  shall  pass  in  the  best  Method  of  making  & Curing 
of  Pitch,  and  Tar,  and  other  Naval  stores  ; and  he 
being  Required  by  his  said  Instructions  to  give  You  a 
Particular  Account  of  all  his  Proceedings  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  ...  . Under  Your  Government,  Her  Majesty 
has  Directed  Us  to  signify  Her  Pleasure  that  You  Re- 
ceive from  the  said  Bridger  such  Accts  and  that  you 
Examin  and  transmit  the  same  from  time  to  time  to 
Her  Majesty  by  one  of  Her  Principal  Secretaries  of 
State,  and  Duplicates  thereof  to  Us,  with  Your  Opinion 
thereupon,  how  that  service  goes  on,  what  probability 
there  shall  be,  of  its  being  brought  to  perfection  and 
what  may  be  further  proper  to  be  done  towards  the 
forwarding  and  Effecting  the  same. 

You  are  also  to  move  the  Assembly  of to 

pass  such  Act  or  Acts  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
further  Encouraging  of  this  so  Advantageous  Under- 
taking 

And  Whereas  the  Travelling  of  the  said  Bridger  and 
his  Continuing  in  the  Woods  with  his  servants  and 
Clarks  for  the  Instructing  Her  Majesty’s  subjects  in 
this  Work  will  Occasion  a Constant  and  Extraordinary 
Expence,  We  do  therefore  recommend  to  You  that 
he  may  be  Assisted,  and  Enabled  to  perform  this  ser- 
vice for  the  benefit  of  the  Inhabitants,  in  such  manner 
as  You  may  Judge  most  Convenient,  so  We  bid  You 
Heartily  farwell 

Your  Very  Loving  Friends 
Rob*  Cecill 

Whitehal  Ph : Meadows 

February  the  4th  170|  W“  Blathwayt 

Jn?  Pollfexen 
Mat:  Prior 

Governors  on  the  Contin*  of  America.  New  Hamp- 
shire. Massachusetts  Bay.  New  Vork.  New 
Jersey.  Virginia.  Maryland. 


124 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


The  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord  Cornbury,  on  New  Jer- 
sey affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  12,  page  259. j 

Letter  from  the  Board  to  the  Lord  Cornbury  of 
New  Jersey. 

To  the  R*  Honb!e  the  Lord  Cornbury,  Governor 
of  Her  Majestvs  Province  of  New-Jersey. 

My  Lord, 

Since  Our  Secretary’s  Letter  to  your  Lordship,  of 
the  8th  of  May  Last,  inclosing  an  Additional  Instruc- 
tion from  Her  Majesty  relating  to  the  Election  of 
Representatives  to  serve  in  General  Assembly,  as  also 
a New  Seal  for  the  Province  of  New-Jersey,  with  a 
Warrant  for  Using  the  same.  We  have  receiv’d  your 
Lordship’s  Letter  of  the  19th  of  February  last,’  and  the 
Papers  therein  Ref  err’d  to. 

We  observe  what  your  Lordship  says  of  M.r  Morris’s 
Behaviour,  and  have  been  apply’d  to  by  some  of  the 
Proprietors  his  Friends,  Men  of  Credit  and  Estate 
here,  who  have  assured  Us,  that  he  will  comport  him- 
self for  the  future  with  all  due  Respect  and  Regard  to 
your  Lordship  and  Her  Majesty’s  Service  ; So  that,  in 
order  to  reconcile  the  minds  of  all  under  your  Lord- 
ship’s Government,  We  do  think  fit  at  present,  that 
upon  his  Submission,  Your  Lordship  do  re-admit  him, 
into  the  Council  of  New-Jersey. 

We  must  likewise  observe,  that  what  has  been  al- 
leg’d in  relation  to  the  pretended  Terms  of  the  Sur- 
render of  that  Government,  is  not  true.  The  Surren- 


LORD  CORNBUR ir’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


125 


1706] 

der  was  absolute,  and  without  Terms ; We  did  indeed 
Consent,  at  the  Proprietors  Desire,  to  add  some  Clauses 
to  Your  Lordship’s  Instructions;  but  that  was  no 
Condition  of  the  Surrender  : And  therefore  We  think, 
Your  Lordship  has  done  well  in  maintaining  the  Con- 
trary. 

Her  Majesty  has  upon  Our  Representation,  been 
pleas’d  to  appoint  Mr  Townley,  M.r  Cox  and  M.r  Mom- 
pesson,  of  the  Council  of  New- Jersey,  in  the  Room 
of  the  three  your  Lordehip  has  named  to  Us,  to  be 
dead. 

As  to  your  Lordship’s  desire,  that  We  Should  re- 
commend M.r  Mompesson  to  Her  Majesty,  for  the  Place 
of  Chief  Justice  of  New  Jersey  ; We  must  refer 
your  Lordship  to  what  We  writ  you  the  26th  of  March 
last,  in  relation  to  New  York,  upon  the  same  Subject. 

Mr  Dockwra,  in  the  name  of  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Eastern  Division  of  New- Jersey,  having  recommended 
to  Us  Mr  Peter  Sonmans,  their  Agent  and  General 
Attorney,  who  is  lately  gone  over  to  New  Jersey,  as  a 
Person  fitly  qualify ’d  to  fill  up  any  Vacancy  that  may 
happen  in  the  Council  there,  and  being  inclinable  to 
gratifie  the  said  Proprietors  herein,  if  your  Lordship 
have  no  Objection  hereunto,  We  desire  to  hear  from 
Your  Lordship,  what  you  have  to  offer  thereupon. 

In  Answer  to  what  your  Lordship  writes  about 
Fines,  Forfeitures  and  Escheats,  and  to  the  appointing 
of  a Ranger  of  the  Woods  in  New- Jersey,  We  must 
refer  your  Lordship  to  Mr  Attorney  General’s  Report 
upon  those  Matters,  a Copy  whereof  is  here  inclosed, 
which  will  be  a guide  to  your  Lordship  upon  other 
occasions. 

We  have  consider’d  the  Acts  your  Lordship  sent  Us, 
which  were  past  in  November  1704,  and  have  not  any 
material  Objections  thereunto  ; but  as  there  are  some 
things  which  We  wish  might  be  amended,  We  shall 
defer  laying  the  said  Acts  before  Her  Majesty,  till  your 


LORD  CORNBURY'S  ADMINISTRATION. 


126 


[1706 


Lordship  has  had  an  opportunity  of  acquainting  the 
Assembly  with  our  Observations  thereupon,  viz* 

The  Act  for  the  Settling  the  Militia,  in  the  last 
Proviso  but  one.  Enacts  that  the  Sums  of  Money 
thereby  to  be  Levy'd,  are  to  be  paid  into  the  Hands  of 
the  Receiver  General  or  Secretary,  or  such  other  Per- 
son as  the  Governor  under  his  hand  shall  appoint  ; 
and  the  Money  to  be  apply'd  also  to  such  Publick 
Uses  as  the  Governor  shall  direct : whereas  We  think 
that  Publick  Moneys  ought  only  to  be  paid  into  the 
hands  of  the  Receiver  General,  and  the  Uses  to  which 
it  ought  to  be  apply’d  for  the  support  of  the  Govern- 
ment, should  be  express’d  in  the  Act  ; and  not  left 
at  large  as  it  is  in  this  ; Minch  We  desire  your  Lord- 
ship  therefore  to  be  mindful  of  in  the  future. 

Tho’  the  Design  of  the  Act  for  Uniting  and  Quieting 
the  Minds  of  All  Her  Majesty’s  Subjects  in  New  Jer- 
sey, be  very  good,  yet  there  are  somethings  in  the  Act 
which  render  it  unfit  for  Her  Majesty’s  Royal  Con- 
firmation, viz.  That  it  pardons  (^amongst  other  Crimes) 
all  Murders,  High-Treason  and  Piracy  committed  be- 
fore the  13th  of  August  1702  ; whereas  Her  Majesty 
has  reserv'd  to  Her  Self  by  Her  Instructions  to  you, 
the  Pardoning  of  those  Crimes,  and  therefore  We 
desire  your  Lordship  to  endeavor  to  get  this  amended 
in  another  Act  to  be  pass’d  for  the  like  Purpose 
We  have  no  other  Objection  to  the  Act  for  altering 
the  Present  Constitution  and  regulating  the  Election 
of  Representatives,  &c  but  that  it  does  not  regulate 
the  Quantity  of  Acres  necessary  to  qualify  Persons  to 
Elect  or  be  Elected  Representatives  in  the  General  As- 
sembly ; your  Lordship  will  have  seen  by  Her  Majes- 
ty’s Additional  Instruction,  which  was  sent  Tou  in 
Our  Secretary’s  foresaid  Letter  of  the  8th  of  May  last, 
what  We  intended  upon  that  matter,  viz1  That  1000 
Acres  or  500£  Personal  Estate  should  qualify  Persons 
to  be  Elected,  and  that  100  Acres  and  50£  Personal 


1706] 


LORD  CORXBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


127 


Estate  Should  qualify  to  be  Electors  : But  if  your 
Lordship  find  this  Regulation  too  high,  you  may  en- 
deavour to  get  a New  Act  Past  fdr  proportioning  that 
Matter  otherwise.  In  the  meantime,  this  Act  will 
remain  in  Force,  without  being  Confirmed  by  Her 
Majesty;  and  your  Lordship  will  make  a suitable  use 
of  your  Instructions  in  that  behalf. 

A Complaint  having  been  made  to  Us,  That  the 
Elections  for  the  last  Assembly  were  made  in  such 
haste,  that  there  was  not  due  and  timely  Notice,  and 
some  Towns  no  Notice  at  all  of  the  Day  appointed  for 
that  purpose  ; We  desire  your  Lordship  therefore  to 
be  mindful  for  the  future  of  giving  such  Notice  (four- 
teen days,  at  least)  that  all  who  have  a Right,  may 
have  time  to  repair  to  the  place  of  Election,  as  they 
shall  see  fit. 

There  has  also  been  a Complaint,  that  three  Members 
were  kept  out  of  the  Said  Assembly  upon  some  Objec- 
tions made  against  them  by  Thomas  Revell  and  Daniel 
Leeds,  and  that  after  the  said  Objections  were  re- 
moved, your  Lordship  still  refused  to  admit  them,  We 
must  therefore  advise  your  Lordship  to  be  careful  in 
preserving  such  Privileges  of  the  Assembly,  as  are 
belonging  to  them. 

The  Proprietors  of  the  Western  Division  complain 
that  Your  Lordship  lias  caused  their  late  Secretary  to 
deliver  all  Publick  Books,  Records  and  Papers,  to 
Mr  Bass  Secretary  of  the  Province,  and  that  then’ 
Records  of  Deeds  and  Conveyances  are  carry ’d  out  of 
the  Province,  which  they  alledge,  may  be  of  very 
great  Prejudice  to  them.  We  are  of  Opinion,  that  all 
Books  and  Papers,  Deeds  and  Evidences,  relating  to 
the  Proprietorship  of  the  Soil,  be  not  taken  out  of  the 
Hands  of  the  Proprietors  Agents ; and  that  if  it  be 
done,  they  be  restored  ; and  that  no  Publick  papers 
whatsoever  be  carry’d  out  of  the  Province. 

It  has  further  been  complain’d  of  to  us,  that  your 


128  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1706 

Lordship  has  put  into  the  Commission  of  the  Peace 
several  mean  and  contemptible  Persons,  particularly 
one  Salter,  whom  your  Lordship  knew  was  under 
Prosecution  for  Felony  : And  granted  Commissions  in 
the  Militia  to  other  Persons  who  have  no  Estates  in 
the  Province  : What  Truth  there  is  in  this  Complaint, 
your  Lordship  can  best  judge,  But  We  think  it  how- 
ever necessary  to  advise  Your  Lordship  to  be  careful 
what  Persons  you  put  into  the  Commission  of  the 
Peace  and  Militia,  that  they  be  Persons  of  good  Es- 
tates, and  well  qualify ’d  for  those  Employments. 

We  must  take  notice  to  your  Lordship,  that  we  have 
not  receiv'd  any  Minutes  of  the  Council  or  Assembly 
since  Your  Lordship’s  being  in  that  Government,  We 
therefore  desire  that  We  may  have  fair  Transcripts  of 
the  said  minutes  both  for  the  time  past,  and  for  the 
future;  As  also  Copies  of  all  other  Publick  Proceedings 
and  Acts  of  Government. 

The  want  of  Prisons  in  New-Jersey  is  a matter  pro- 
per to  be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly  : Your 
Lordship  will  therefore  represent  to  them  the  necessity 
of  having  such  Prisons  built,  that  they  Grant  a suffi- 
cient Fund,  which  may  be  appropriated  to  that  Ser- 
vice. 

A New  Seal  for  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  was 
sent  your  Lordship  by  Col?  Nott,  Governor  of  Virginia, 
and  We  doubt  not,  but  your  Lordship  will  have  re- 
ceiv’d it  long  before  this. 

By  the  Words,  due  Provision  for  the  respective 
Members  of  Our  Council  and  Assembly , in  the  22d 
Clause  of  your  Instructions  ; it  cannot  be  understood 
that  a Salary  should  be  settled  upon  them,  but  only 
that  due  Provision  be  made  of  Paper,  Ink,  Fire  and 
other  necessaries,  for  carrying  on  the  Service,  and 
suitable  Salaries  be  provided  for  the  Clerks  and  other 
Officers  that  attend  the  said  Council  and  Assembly. 

We  are  glad  to  perceive,  That  the  Tax  for  one  year 


1706]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  129 

has  been  so  easily  raised;  and  We  hope,  That  by  your 
Lordship’s  prudent  Conduct  everything  else  will  be 
made  easy  also.  We  are, 

My  Lord, 

Your  Lordship's  most  humble  Servants, 

Dartmouth. 

Rob:  Cecill. 

Ph.  Meadows. 

Wm  Blathwayt. 

Jn.°  Pollexfen. 

Whitehall,  Febf  4^  ITOg.  Matt.  Prior. 


The  Proprietors  of  East  Jersey  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
asking  for  the  appointment  of  Peter  Sonmans  to 
he  one  of  the  Council  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C 5.] 

The  Memoriall  of  the  Proprietors  of  The 
Eastern  Division  of  New- Jersey  praying 
that  their  Agent  M*  Sonmans  may  be 
constituted  one  of  the  Council  of  New 
Jersey  &c  Reed  24  April  1706 

To  the  Right  Hoxbbe  the  Lords  Com’issioners  for 
Trade,  and  forreign  Plantations. 

The  Memoriall  of  the  ComHtte  of  Proprietors  of  the 
Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey  in  America. 

The  said  Proprietors  beg  leave  to  represent  to  Yor 
Lopps  that  before  they  surrendered  their  Right  of  Gov- 
ernnT  to  Her  Majesty  among  other  things  they 
insisted,  That  such  Agent  as  they  shou’d  at  any  time 
after  appoint  by  their  Com’ission  to  go  over  (to  manage 
9 


LORD  CORN  HURT'S  ADMINISTRATION. 


130 


[1706 


their  affairs  in  the  said  Province)  might  always  be  of 
the  Gov?8  Council!. 

That  so  he  might  be  present  to  inform  the  Governour 
of  the  State  of  all  matters  relating  to  their  Lands,  Quit 
rents,  <fc  other  their  Propriety  Concerns,  which  shou'd 
at  all  times  come  before  the  Councill,  and  to  take  care 
that  the  Rights,  & Generali  Interests  of  the  Proprietors 
might  be  preserved,  which  yo-  LopPs  were  pleased  to 
allow  to  be  very  just  & reasonable. 

But  the  Proprietors  at  the  time  of  filhng  up  the 
list  of  the  names  of  twelve  Persons  to  be  of  the  Gov- 
ernours  Councill  viz?  Six  for  the  Eastern,  & Six  for 
the  Western  Division  of  New  Jersey  had  not  then 
chosen  an  Agent  and  so  cou’d  not  nominate  a Person 
to  yo?  Lop?8  for  that  Station  in  the  Governours  Coun- 
cills. 

But  sometime  after  the  said  Proprietors  did  elect  Mr 
Peter  Sonmans  for  their  Agent,  Generali  Attorney  &c? 
authorising  him  by  Commission  under  their  hands,  & 
Seals;  and  so  soon  as  they  had  advice  of  a vacancy,  in 
the  Governours  Councill,  by  the  Death  of  one  Capt? 
Leonard  in  the  Eastern  Division,  & Mr  Hunlock  in  the 
Western  Division  they  applyed  to  Yor  Lopps  that  the 
said  Peter  Sonmans  might  be  humbly  recommended  to 
Her  Majesty  as  their  Agent,  to  fill  up  one  of  those 
vacancies  in  the  Govern?8  Councill. 

But  yo?  Lop?8  were  pleased  to  deferr  yor  Answer 
untill  His  Excellency  the  Lord  Cornbury  shou’d  send 
his  next  Letters  to  the  Board — And  when  they  came 
His  Lo?P  signified  the  Death  of  a third  Member  of  His 
Councill,  one  Cap?  Walker,  upon  which  my  Lord  not 
knowing  the  Proprietors  had  constituted  Mr  Sonmans 
their  Agent,  He  recom’ended  three  Persons  for  the 
said  three  vacancies,  viz?  Coll  Coxe,  Coll  Townley,  & 
Mr  Mompesson  which  being  represented  by  Yor  LopP8 
to  Her  Majesty,  She  has  been  pleased  to  grant  Her 
Letter  of  Approbation  to  each  of  those  Gentlemen. 


1706]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  131 

Now  so  it  is  (may  it  please  Yo-  Lop;ps)  that  MV  Son- 
mans  arrived  in  New- Jersey  about  six  Months  since,  & 
immediately  addressed  himself  to  His  Excellency  the 
Governour,  & acquaint?  Him  with  the  Contents  of  his 
Commission  for  Agent,  Genl1  Attorny  &c  who  received 
him  with  great  Civillity,  & kindness,  and  was  pleased 
forthwith  to  order  His  Councill  to  meet  at  Amboy  in 
East  Jersey  in  August  last,  where  his  Commission  was 
opened,  read  & examined,  & allowed  by  the  Governour 
in  Councill. 

Yet  some  of  the  unruly  Scots,  & those  of  their  fac- 
tion (abetted  by  their  Ringleader)  in  New  Jersey,  who 
are  the  Correspondents,  & Informers  of  the  Memo- 
riallists  here  against  the  Lord  Cornbury  opposed  Mr 
Sonmans  Com’ission  there,  pretending  they  had  the 
Majority  of  the  Proprietors  power  in  them  to  consti- 
tute the  Generali  Agent. 

Whereupon  His  Excellency  (ready  to  hear  their  Com- 
plaint) appointed  a day  for  all  Parties  to  appear,  and 
were  also  allowed  to  bring  Councill  at  Law  on  both 
sides,  and  after  a long,  & full  hearing,  the  whole  num 
her  of  the  Pretenders  in  Jersey  were  not  able  to  prove 
their  authority  (in  the  Right  of  themselves,  or  as 
Proxies  legally  substituted  by  others  (putting  them 
altogether)  to  exceed  one  Propriety,  & three  Quarters 
to  support  their  pretended  Majority  of  twenty  four 
(which  are  the  Originall  number  of  Proprietors) — On 
the  other  hand  Mr  Sonmans  proved  his  Com’ission 
(given  in  London)  to  be  above  six  times,  of  more 
authority  then  theirs;  who  have  assumed  to  act  as  a 
Majority  of  Proprietors,  but  were  so  notoriously 
detected,  for  the  falsity  of  their  Pretensions,  that  their 
Councill  at  Law  had  no  more  to  say  for  such  Clients, 
who  to  their  Shame,  and  Confusion  were  so  publickly 
convicted. 

And  MV  Sonmans  having  so  clearly  proved  the 
authority  of  his  Com’ission  the  Governour,  & Councill 


132  LORD  CORNBURY'S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1706 

confirmed  it  (as  amply  Authentiek)  before  a very  great 
Audience  of  the  Country  to  their  great  Satisfaction, 
and  ordered  his  Commission  to  be  enter'd  on  Record — 
His  Excellency  also  declaring  that  He  had  Orders  by 
his  Instructions  from  Her  Majesty,  to  admit  the  Pro- 
prietors Agent  to  be  of  his  Councill.  and  did  expect, 
that  M-  Sonmans  had  brought  the  Queens  Letter  of 
approbation  with  him. 

Yet  were  these  factious  Pretenders;  so  perverse,  and 
Insolent,  as  to  incite  one  Barclay  a Scotch  man  to  per- 
sist in  receiving  the  Quit  rents,  and  other  monys  of 
the  Proprietors  (he  being  one  of  their  tools)  to  whom 
they  had  presumed  to  take  upon  them  to  give  a 
Com'ission  to  be  Receiver  Generali,  and  the  said  Bar- 
clay resisted  M-  Sonmans  Com'ission.  A obstinately 
continued  to  justifie  his  own:  untill  His  Excellency 
issued  out  a Proclamation,  to  make  void  his  pretended 
authority,  and  to  prohibit  him  from  receiving,  & all 
others  to  pay  him  anything  more,  com'anding  all  Per- 
sons to  observe  Mr  Sonmans  Com'ission  so  fully  proved 
to  be  ample,  & authentiek  to  constitute  him  the  Gen- 
erali Proprietors  Agent  Receiver  Generali  &c. 

The  Proprietors  therefore  now  humbly  hope  Yor 
Lopps  will  be  pleased  to  make  such  speedy  Representa- 
tion to  Her  Majesty,  (as  they  presume  his  Excellency 
has  desired)  for  the  dismission  of  Mr  Morris  from  the 
Governours  Councill,  & that  vor  Lopps  will  please  to 
recom'end  their  establisht  Agent  Mr  Sonmans  to  Her 
Majesties  favour  for  Her  Letter  of  approbation  to 
supply  the  room  of  Mr  Morris;  & humbly  pray  it  may 
be  so  dispatcht  as  to  be  sent  by  the  hands  of  Coll 
Quary  and  Coll  Coxe  who  are  now  ready  to  embark  for 
New  York. 

Hoping  Yor  Lopps  will  be  pleased  to  pardon  the 
Importunity  hereof;  from  the  necessity  there  is  for  the 
affairs  of  the  Proprietors,  & the  Service  of  that 
Collony.  that  Her  Majesties  letter  of  Approbation  for 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


133 


M1'  Sonmans  to  be  of  the  Governours  Councill,  might 
go  by  this  Convoy  ready  to  sail. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted 
London  By  Order  of  the  Com’ittee  of  Proprietors 
February  of  the  Eastern  Division  of  New- Jersey 
14th  170^  WM-  Dockwra, 

Seer  & Regr 


The  Answer  of  William  Sloper , Agent  of  Lord  Corn- 
bury , to  the  complaints  of  the  West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietors. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  J,  C.  6.] 

The  Mem1,  of  Wm  Sloper  Agent  to  the  Lord 
Cornbury  Govr  of  Newyk  & New  jersey — 

In  Answer 

To  the  Complaint  of  Severall  Psons  Stiling 
themselves  the  Proprietors  of  the  Western 
Division  of  New  Jersey  in  America.  Reed 
24  April  1706. 

To  the  Right  Hon’ble  the  Lords  Comm^s  for  Trade 
and  Plantations. 

The  Memoriall  of  W™  Sloper  Agent  to  his  Excellde  the 
Lord  Cornbury,  Governour  of  New  York  &c* 

May  it  Please  Yor:  Lordpsp.H 

I have  seen  a coppy  of  a Memoriall  given  to  your 
Lord?8  by  Severall  persons  who  pretend  to  be,  and  Stile 
themselves  the  Proprietors  of  the  Western  Division  of 
New  Jersey,  whereas  they  are  not  above  a fifth  Part 
of  what  they  so  pretend  to,  and  yet  they  have  the 
assurance  to  represent  the  whole,  having  neither 


[.*  *RP  < CRXBI'RY  ' AUMIXISTRATIOX. 


m 


[1:06 


authority,  just  ground  nor  any  pretence  from  the  per- 
sons chiefly  Concerned  in  the  Propriety  of  the  said 
Division,  for  so  doing:  however  I take  leave  to  lay  t hi- 
before  your  Lord?  as  an  answer  to  the  said  scurrilous 
Memoriall  untill  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Combury  has 
notice  of  it.  to  answer  it  more  Particularly. 

In  the  first  place  they  suggest,  that  the  terms  of 
Surrender  of  the  Government  of  that  Country  is  Part 
of  the  Govemours  Instructions  and  complain  of  the 
breach  of  his  said  Instructions  which  they  Pretend  to 
have  undoubted  Testimonies  of.  which  I hope  your 
Lord?*  will  please  to  order  them  to  produce,  whereas 
your  Lord1*  very  well  know  that  her  Ma'tie  did  not. 
nor  would  receive  that  Governm1  upon  any  Terms  of 
Surrender  which  were  pretended  to  be  made,  and  I am 
very  well  assured  from  persons  credible  and  unbyass'd. 
that  his  Excellency  has  punctually  observ'd,  and  fol- 
lowed such  Instruct  ions  as  her  Ma'tie  has  been  Pleased 
to  give  him.  together  with  your  Lord1*1  Commands.  In 
all  matters  relating  to  that  Province. 

As  to  the  Generali  Charge  of  his  Excellency's  vio- 
lating the  Constitution  of  that  Province,  in  respeet  to 
the  Generali  Assembly  it  plainly  appears,  by  the 
fifteenth  Clause  of  his  Instructions,  that  the  manner 
of  electing  Representatives,  might  be  alter'd  by  an  act 
or  Acts  of  Assembly,  as  appears  by  the  Words  made 
use  of  in  the  said  Instructions,  which  arc  as  follows, 
and  that  this  number  of  Representatives  viz"  2L. 
Shall  not  be  enlarged,  or  the  manner  of  Electing  them 
alter'd,  other-wise  than  by  act.  or  Acts  of  Assembly 
there,  and  confirm'd  by  us  our  Heirs  and  Successor 
and  hh  Excellency  has  strictly  confin'd  himself  to  the 
letter  of  his  Instructions,  for  when  the  Country  found 
the  Inconvenience  that  attended  the  former  Constitu- 
tion. they  humbly  applyed  themselves  to  his  Excel- 
lency. by  their  Representatives  that  they  might  have 
such  alterations,  as  were  suitable  to  their*  Circum- 


1706]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  135 

stances,  and  good  of  the  Country,  and  most  agreeable 
to  the  Laws  and  Constitution  of  England,  for  which  a 
Bill  being  brought  in  by  the  Assembly,  and  pass’d  in 
their  House  was  consented  to  by  his  Excellcy  Pursuant 
to  her  Ma’ties  Instructions. 

To  the  P?  Paragraph  I answer  and  agree  that  an 
Assembly  was  called  in  the  year  1703  but  withall  I am 
obliged  to  represent  to  your  Lord1*.8  the  manner  of  the 
Election  which  is  as  follows;  The  persons  employed  as 
Tools  by  those  Pretended  proprietors  prevailed  so  far 
upon  my  Lord,  as  to  have  one  of  their  number  to  be 
appointed  Sheriff  of  the  Amboy  County,  where  the 
Election  for  that  Division  was  to  be,  which  was  one 
mr  Gordon  a Scotchman  who  to  destroy  the  Liberty  of 
the  People,  did  contrary  to  all  Justice,  honour,  or  the 
obligation  of  his  Oath,  return  for  members  of  that 
Assembly  Persons  who  had  not  50  votes,  whereas  there 
appear’d  upwards  of  300  for  the  other  Candidates,  by 
whom  a Poll  was  demanded,  but  refused  by  the  said 
Sheriff,  which  so  alarm’d  the  whole  Country  that 
nothing  but  my  Lord  Cornbury’s  great  Prudence,  could 
have  preserved  the  peace  of  it;  however  the  Persons 
Pticularly  aggriev’d  took  the  proper  Methods  to  pre- 
serve their  Rights,  by  petitioning  the  house  of  Assem- 
bly against  the  Sheriff  for  his  illegall  and  undue  return 
and  after  a tedious  attendance,  the  Assembly  appointed 
a Day  of  hearing,  but  with  such  Limitations,  as  not  to 
appear  with  more  than  a Certain  number  of  Witnesses. 
According  to  the  time  appointed  they  appear’d  with 
their  Councill  and  Witnesses,  but  were  then  told  by 
the  Assembly,  that  they  were  satisfied  with  the  Acco- 
given  them,  by  the  said  Sheriff,  and  refused  to  admit 
them  to  lay  their  Case  before  the  House,  but  deter- 
min’d it  against  them  without  being  heard. 

And  that  your  Lordps  may  see  that  this  set  of  Men 
thus  unduly  returned  were  intended  to  carry  on  the 
unjust  Designs  of  these  pretended  proprietors  residing 


136  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1706 

in  East  Jersey  who  are  most  of  them  persons  not  of 
the  best  reputation  and  of  but  small  Interests  in 
proprieties  yet  headed  and  encouraged  chiefly,  by 
Lewiss  Morris  stiled  Agent  to  the  West  Jersey  Society 
in  England  (who  are  the  informers  in  this  Memoriall 
against  the  Govern  our,  and  Stile  themselves  the  West 
Jersey  Proprietors,  tho’  they  have  but  one  fifth  Part 
of  West,  and  but  two  Proprieties  among  them  all  in 
the  Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey.  I am  oblig'd  to 
represent  to  your  Lord1?8  that  the  first  step  they  took, 
was  the  bringing  in  a Bill  which  was  call’d  the  Pro- 
prietors Bill  and  consisted  of  nothing  but  mischief. 
Injustice  and  oppression,  for  in  the  first  Place  it 
defeated  the  Queen  of  all  her  Quit  Rents  for  above  40 
years,  it  took  from  her  a great  Part  of  the  Govern  m? 
of  New  York,  which  the  Crown  has  enjoyed  near  40 
years,  no  less  than  all  Staten  Island,  besides  the  Royal- 
ties of  Govemm*  of  New  Jersey  even  after  they  had 
resigned  it  to  the  Crown  The  next  thing  contained  in 
the  Bill,  was  to  cheat  and  Defraud  the  rest  of  the  Pro- 
prietors, by  destroying  the  very  foundation  of  their 
Title  which  is  a joint  Tenancy,  or  tenancy  in  common, 
this  Bill  would  likewise  destroy  the  just  right  and 
proper  titles  of  above  500  of  the  Inhabitants  with  many 
more  unjustifiable  and  barbarous  designes  contrary  to 
all  Law  and  Justice  too  many  to  trouble  your  Lord1?8 
with  and  therefore  shall  rather  refer  your  Lordps  to  the 
Bill  it  self  this  Bill  they  pass'd  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives and  used  all  their  Endeavours  to  pass  it 
likewise  in  the  Council!  and  thought  to  have  laid  a 
necessity  on  my  Lord  so  to  doe  by  tacking  it  to  a pre- 
tended money  Bill  (which  was  far  short  of  answering 
the  end,  for  the  support  of  the  Governing  but  they 
found  their  mistake  for  his  Excellcy  having  more 
honour.  Justice  and  Sence,  than  to  be  so  far  prevail'd 
with  or  imposed  upon  as  to  pass  anything  so  unjust  & 
wicked  as  to  destroy  the  Rights  and  prerogative  of  the 


1706 J 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


137 


Queen  and  the  min  of  the  Country,  put  a stop  to  it 
and  after  having  tryed  the  nature  and  temper  of  these 
People,  and  found  that  they  had  no  Design  for  the 
good  or  settlement  of  the  Country,  but  to  carry  on 
their  unjust  pretentions  he  thought  it  high  time,  (for 
these  and  no  other  reasons  notwithstanding  what  is 
unjustly  suggested  in  the  memoriall)  to  hearken  to  the 
Complaints  and  Peticon  of  the  whole  Country  for  dis- 
solving this  Assembly,  so  unjustly  returned,  and  giving 
the  People  a free  choice  in  the  Election  of  a new  one. 

The  next  Article  of  their  Charge  is  that  which  relates 
to  the  3 Members  Upon  which  I humbly  observe  to 
your  Lordp.3  that  in  this  as  well  as  all  other  things  my 
Lord  Cornbury  kept  very  Punctuall  to  the  observance 
of  his  Instructions  which  obliged  him  not  to  suffer  any 
Person  to  sit  in  the  House  of  Representatives  but 
under  certain  Qualifications,  however  my  Lord  was  so 
tender  in  a Point  of  this  Nature  that  he  did  not  under- 
take to  judge  and  Determine  the  right  of  these  persons 
but  left  it  and  recommended  it  to  the  Determination 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  as  may  appear  by 
their  Journalls  relating  to  that  matter,  which  are  as 
follows.  Wednesday  the  15^  of  Novem1'  1704  Mr  Leeds 
and  Mr  Revell  two  of  the  Councill  having  delivered  a 
Petition  into  the  House  against  three  Pretended  Mem- 
bers, On  a debate  of  the  House  was  allow’d  to  be 
received,  in  the  words  of  the  said  Petic’on,  and  the 
Petic’oners  had  14  days  allow’d  them,  by  the  House  to 
make  good  the  allegations  thereof;  two  day  after  vizP 
on  the  17?  of  the  same  Month  upon  a Motion  made  by 
one  of  the  Members  of  the  House  in  behalf  of  the  said 
3 Pretended  Members,  it  was  order’d  that  they  should 
be  admitted  to  make  good  their  Qualifications  to  sit,  & 
at  their  request  were  allow’d  time  till  the  Wednesday 
Sevenight  to  make  their  Qualifications  more  fully 
appear  to  the  House;  which  was  the  same  day  Leeds 
and  Revell  were  to  appear  to  make  good  the  allegations 


138 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[i;o6 


of  their  Petition  but  the  said  three  Members  did  not 
appear  at  the  day  appointed,  So  that  on  Fry  day  follow 
ing  being  the  first  of  Decern-  the  House  made  a new 
Resolve  In  these  words  (viz*)  Resolved  on  a Motion 
whether  the  three  Members  Should  be  heard  by  a 
motion  or  Petition,  that  they  Should  be  heard  by 
Petition.  They  not  appearing  to  make  good  their 
Qualifications  to  Serve  in  the  Assembly,  at  the  time 
allow’d  them,  so  that  it  is  very  Plain  by  the  Journalls 
the  whole  matter  was  fully  examin’d  after  their  own 
Methods,  and  that  the  Governour  did  not  hinder  or 
molest  them,  or  the  Complainants  in  using  such 
Methods  as  they  thought  fittest  to  right  themselves, 
and  these  Gentlemen  not  appearing  at  the  day 
appointed  gave  just  Cause  of  Suspicion  that  at  the 
time  of  their  Election  they  were  not  qualify ’d  by  which 
it  appears  that  the  delay  was  occasion’d  by  themselves 
nor  could  it  be  reasonably  expected  that  the  business 
of  the  Country  should  be  neglected  by  their  Delays, 
but  the  truth  of  the  matter  lyes  thus,  When  mr  Morris 
the  head  of  the  Scotch  Faction,  and  the  rest  of  the 
tools  of  these  Pretended  Proprietors  found  that  they 
could  not  gain  their  unjust  Bill,  or  carry  on  their 
Arbitrary  designs  to  the  Ruin  of  the  Country,  their 
next  chief  Aim  and  business  was  as  far  as  lay  in  their 
Power  to  oversett  the  whole  frame  of  Government  by 
their  Endeavours  to  prevent  the  Passing  of  an  Act  for 
the  Support  of  it,  and  of  a Militia  Act  to  defend  it, 
The  whole  History  of  their  design  will  appear  by  the 
measures  m1’  Morris  took  during  the  whole  Course  of 
that  Assembly,  these  proprietors  pretend  that  the 
tack’d  Bill  for  £1300  was  the  utmost  the  Country  could 
bear  and  yet  upon  Passing  the  last  Bill  of  £2,000,  their 
tools,  in  the  Assembly  held  at  Burlington,  endeavoured 
to  destroy  it,  by  pretending  the  Sum’e  was  too  little 
for  the  Support  of  Governm*,  which  shew  how  incon- 
sistent these  Persons  are  with  themselves  when  they 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


139 


1706] 


are  to  Carry  on  their  own  unjust  Designes,  and  how 
ignorant  these  Gentlemen  here  in  England  are  in 
matters  transacted  in  that  Country;  they  take  it  upon 
the  single  Credit  of  Letters  from  Two  or  Three  factious 
troublesome  Persons  with*  being  able  to  judge  of  the 
truth  of  things,  and  on  this  Rotten  foundation,  pre- 
sume to  trouble  your  Lord?8  with  Memorialls  stuff’d 
with  scurrilous  reflections  of  the  Queens  Governour 
and  the  whole  Govern  m*  which  I hope  your  Lordps  will 
please  to  consider  and  allow  it  such  a Weight  as  it 
justly  deserves.  As  to  the  former  Instructions  for 
qualifying  persons  Elected  and  Electors  it  is  notori- 
ously known  to  have  been  managed  and  contrived  by 
these  Proprietors  and  their  tools  on  purpose  to  carry 
on  their  owne  Designs,  and  to  have  it  almost  in  their 
Power  to  choose  what  Assembly  they  Please,  few  per- 
sons in  the  Country  having  such  a Quantity  of  Lands 
as  is  required,  except  these  in  their  Interest,  who  had 
purposely  and  by  indirect  means  got  Large  Tracts  of 
Lands  on  purpose  to  carry  on  this  design  but  the 
happiness  of  the  Country  was,  that  her  Ma’tie  was 
graciously  pleased  to  leave  a Power  in  the  Governour 
and  Assembly  to  alter  that  Pernicious  constitution 
which  accordingly  is  done,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of 
the  whole  Country,  of  which  Act  your  Lord*.8  are  the 
best  Judges  it  now  lying  before  you,  and  I hope  your 
Lord1?  will  be  pleased  to  recommend  it  to  her  Ma’tie 
for  her  approbation 

The  next  Act  is  an  Act  for  support  of  Governm-  to 
which  their  Objections  are  very  frivolous  since  by  that 
Act  my  Lord  hath  strictly  observed  his  Instructions, 
there  being  no  unprofitable  Lands  tax’d,  tho  some 
have  been  uncultivated,  for  the  Assembly  being  very 
sensible  that  there  was  no  method  to  raise  money,  for 
the  Support  of  Governm*  by  way  of  Trade  but  upon 
Land  and  Stock  and  by  a modest  Computation  the  tax 
will  not  amount  to  above  2fd  P pound  and  these  Gen- 


140 


LORD  CORNBURV’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


tlem11  that  Complain  had  they  any  Sense  of  Gratitude 
they  ought  to  have  thank’d  my  Lord  and  the  Assembly 
for  having  their  Lands  in  Particular  excused,  and  the 
whole  Country  as  well  as  the  Assembly  being  highly 
satisfied  with  the  reasonableness  of  the  said  Tax  would 
have  given  the  Revenue  for  a Longer  time,  and  instead 
of  Complaining  the  Representatives  with  the  Councill 
(except  the  pretended  Agent  ColP  Morris)  were  unani- 
mous, zealous  and  speedy  in  passing  it,  but  that  there 
never  had  been  a generall  Tax  throughout  the  Province 
so  as  to  make  a just  Computation  of  what  the  Country 
was  able  to  bear,  which  when  known  they  would  be 
very  ready  to  settle  such  a Revenue,  as  would  effectu- 
ally answer  the  occasions  of  the  Governing  and  tis 
very  well  known  that  not  an  English  man  was  against 
it  except  a few  who  have  joined  themselves  to  a certain 
Faction  who  opposed  it  for  no  other  Reason  but 
because  ’twas  not  done  after  their  arbitrary  Schemes 
and  tack’d  to  their  wicked  and  unjust  Bill.  Being 
always  unwilling  according  to  the  motion  of  their 
Restlest  spirits  to  comply  to  any  reasonable  thing, 
which  themselves  are  not  authors  of.  Your  Lordps 
may  judge  of  the  temper  of  these  Men  by  their  false, 
scurrilous,  and  unmannerly  reflections  on  a Person  of 
Honour,  (and  her  Ma’ties  Governour)  without  any 
ground,  foundation  or  Proof,  they  having  been  so  very 
well  acquainted  with  bribing  the  Managers  and  late 
Undertakers  of  their  wicked  and  unjust  Bill  which 
tended  to  the  Ruin  and  oppression  of  the  whole  Coun- 
try, which  makes  them  reflect  so  barbarously  on 
others;  For  your  Lordps  very  well  know  that  that  Bill 
contains  nothing,  but  what  is  reasonable  just  and 
honourable,  and  tends  to  no  other  End,  but  the  Interest 
& security  of  the  Province,  which  all  good  Men  ought 
to  join  in,  and  consequently  no  room  for  Indirect 
Means  to  gain  so  reasonable  just  and  honourable  Ends 
As  to  the  next  Complaint  wherein  they  alledge  that 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


141 


my  Lord  does  obstruct  the  Officers  in  the  execution  of 
their  trust,  these  Gentlemen  at  home  ought  in  the  first 
place  to  make  it  appear  that  those  Pretenders  abroad 
in  East  Jersey  have  a sufficient  Power  to  Commission 
any  Officers  at  all,  which  I am  well  Informed  they 
have  not,  as  not  having  the  Power  of  one  Fourth  part 
of  the  general  Proprietors,  for  they  want  the  authority 
of  the  majority  of  the  Committe  of  Proprietors  in  Lon- 
don, in  whom  the  Power  of  appointing  and  Commis^ 
sioning  of  all  Officers  under  the  Generali  Proprietors 
is  vested 

And  as  to  the  Books,  Records  and  Papers  that  any 
way  concern  the  Lands  or  Personall  Estates  of  the 
Generali  Proprietors,  his  Lord?  has  no  intention  of 
Invading  the  Right  of  mr  Dockwra  who  has  been  their 
Sec’ry  and  Regist1  above  these  20  years  by  patent,  as 
appears  upon  their  Records,  and  made  Tho?  Gordon  his 
Dep’ty  in  whose  Custody  they  continued  many  years 
untill  of  late  that  m^  Sonmans  the  Proprietors  Agent, 
went  over  to  New  Jersey  and  by  authority  from  the 
said  mr  Dockwra,  and  the  Rest  of  the  proprietors  in 
London,  moved  his  Lord?  to  command  the  said  Gordon 
to  deliver  up  all  such  Books,  Records  and  papers  of  the 
Proprietors  in  his  Hands,  and  thereupon  put  them  into 
the  Custody  of  mV  Royce  in  East  Jersey,  there  to 
remain  untill  mr  Dockwra  shall  appoint  his  Deputy  to 
receive  into  his  Care  and  Custody  all  such  Books 
Records  and  Papers  belonging  to  the  proprietors  Lands 
and  Personall  Estates  which  will  thereupon  be 
presently  deliver’d,  producing  such  deputation,  but  for 
all  other  Books,  Records  and  Papers  relating  to  state 
matters,  or  GovernnP  they  ought  to  remain  in  the  Care 
of  the  Sec’ry  of  the  Province,  appointed  by  her  Ma’tie, 
nor  were  any  of  them  carried  out  of  the  Province  as 
they  falsely  suggest 

Their  next  charge  is  that  his  Excellency  hath 
appointed  severall  Officers  with1  the  advice  of  his 


142 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


Councill,  which  is  not  true  in  fact  for  he  hath  always 
Pursued  his  Instructions,  and  taken  the  advice  of  his 
Councill.  As  to  the  particular  Instance  of  the  Sheriff 
of  Burlington  ’tis  a notorious  mistake  for  he  suspended 
that  person  by  the  advice  of  his  Councill  and  again 
restor’d  him  by  their  advice  also  (and  not  otherwise) 
he  being  a man  of  Probity  and  understanding,  one  that 
lives  well  and  Hospitably,  is  Loyall  to  the  Crown  & 
governnff  and  will  not  be  debauch’d  by  these  factious 
Persons.  As  to  the  next  Article  which  charges  his 
Lord?  with  having  given  Commissions  both  in  the 
Peace  and  Militia  to  contemptible  Persons  and  without 
Estates  it  is  as  groundless  as  the  other,  for  it  is  evident 
that  his  Excellency  having  displac’d  some  persons 
recommended  to  him  by  these  Informers  who  were 
not  fit  to  serve,  put  in  their  Places  Honest  Men  suffi- 
ciently qualified  to  serve  their  Country  and  as  for  the 
Gentleman  pointed  at  (supposed  to  be  Coll0  Cox)  as 
Commission’d  in  the  Militia,  there  are  some  here  ready 
to  make  appear,  that  he  has  a better  Interest  and 
Estate  in  West  Jersey  (as  he  has  done  formerly  before 
your  Lordp-8)  than  most  of  these  vexatious  persons  put 
together. 

In  answer  to  their  Charge  against  his  Excellency  of 
endeavouring  to  Procure  an  alteration  in  his  Instruc- 
tions whereby  to  be  Impower’d  to  admit  any  Persons 
to  purchase  from  the  Indians  to  the  great  detriment  of 
the  Propriet18 1 must  humbly  refer  your  Lordps  to  such 
Representac’ons  (if  any)  as  his  Excellency  has  sent 
your  Lordps  whereby  he  used  any  such  endeavours  and 
its  strange  these  Gentlemen  who  Complain  should  in 
this  place  take  the  Liberty  of  mentioning  so  many 
Acts  of  Despotick  Power  without  having  been  able  to 
make  one  of  ’em  seem  evident 

And  now  may  it  please  your  Lordp.s  these  Gentlemen 
are  come  to  their  finishing  Stroke  and  do  no  less  than 
protest  against  the  Queens  authority  and  the  repre- 


1706] 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


143 


sentatives  of  the  People  in  Assembly  which  alone 
sufficiently  discovers  the  ignorance  of  their  advisers 
and  how  easily  they  are  led  into  any  gross  Error  to 
which  I shall  make  no  answer,  But  humbly  Submit  it 
to  your  Lord?8  whether  the  bare  alligations  of  a few 
who  have  but  very  inconsiderable  Interests  in  the 
Province  and  who  are  so  much  Strangers  to  it  as  to 
protest  against  the  Acts  of  its  legall  Constitution  upon 
the  information  alone  of  a Few  troublesome  factious 
Persons  these  should  meet  with  any  Countenance  from 
your  Lord?8  but  on  the  Contrary  such  a reprimand  as 
may  deter  others  from  attempting  for  the  future  a 
thing  tends  so  directly  to  the  disturbance  of  her  Ma’ties 
Peace  and  the  tranquility  and  quiet  of  her  Govern mc 
in  those  parts. 

I cannot  omit  putting  your  Lordp?  in  mind  of  what 
the  Lord  Cornbury  has  represented  upon  his  having- 
suspended  mr  Morris  a second  time  from  sitting  in 
Councill,  and  whether  the  Reasons  offer’d  by  his  Lord? 
for  the  same  which  are  his  Constant  opposing  her 
Ma’ties  Interest,  his  frequent  & wilfull  absenting  him- 
self from  the  Councill  neglect  of  his  Duty  and  con- 
tinuall  endeavours  to  embarras  and  perplex  the 
business  and  affairs  of  the  Country,  are  not  Sufficient 
to  satisfie  your  Lord?8  that  he  is  a Pson  very  unfit  to  be 
continued  of  her  Ma’ties  Councill. 

And  lastly  I humbly  begg  that  your  Lord?8  will 
excuse  any  insufficiency  of  these  Answers  because  I 
have  been  oblig'd  to  Collect  ’em  from  such  informac’ons 
as  I could  best  pick  up,  at  so  great  a Distance  from 
the  Place  where  matters  were  transacted;  And  that 
your  Lord?8  will  be  pleased  to  deferr  giving  any  Credit 
to  the  allegations  of  the  Complainants  untill  his 
Excell™6  can  have  time  to  send  your  Lord?8  such  an 
answer  of  his  own  as  may  set  this  affair  in  a true  fight, 
and  fully  satisfie  your  Lord?8  that  his  Conduct  in  the 
Government  of  the  Province  has  been  agreable  to  Law 


144  lord  corxbury’s  admixistratiox.  [1700 

and  the  Instructions  given  him  and  that  he  has  no  way 
forfeited  the  Continuance  of  your  Lord1?8  good  opinion 
and  favourable  Protection  of  him, 

I am. 

May  it  please  your  Lordshipps- 
London  Febry  the  Yo-  Lord?5  most  dutifull 

14th  ITOii  & most,  Obedr  humble  Servt 

W*  Sloper. 


Letter  from  William  Popple , Jim.,  Secretary  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade . to  William  Sloper , about  Lord 
Cornbury-s  Salary. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  12  p.  2T9.] 

To  M;  Sloper. 


S? 

My  Lord  Combury  having  acquainted  the  Lords 
Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations,  in  one  of 
his  late  Letters,  that  Her  Majesty  has  appointed  him. 
as  Governor  of  the  Jerseys,  a Salary  of  Five  Hundred 
Pounds  p Annum  ; Their  Lordships  have  commanded 
me  to  desire,  you  will  inform  me  when  and  how  the 
said  Salary  was  Settled  on  his  Lordship. 

I am, 

Sr 

Your  most  humble  Servant, 

W™  Popple.  junr 


Whitehall  Apr.  5.  1706 


1706]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration. 


145 


Order  in  Council  revoking  Colonel  Ingoldesby'>s  Com- 
mission as  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Neiv  York , 
and  appointing  him  one  of  the  Council  of  New 
Jersey. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col:  Doc’ts,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  1174.] 

At  the  Court  at  Kensington  the  11th  of  April 
1706  Present  the  Queen’s  Most  Excel- 
lent Majesty  in  Council 

Upon  reading  this  day  at  the  Board,  a representation 
from  the  Lords  Commissr.8  for  Trade  and  Plantations 
dated  the  8th  inst:  in  the  words  following  viz? 

May  it  please  Your  Majesty 
Having  received  letters  from  New  York  and  New 
Jersey  and  particularly  from  Coll.  Ingoldesby,  relating 
to  his  two  Commissions  from  your  Majesty,  one  as 
Lieut?  Govr  of  New  York  & the  other  of  New  Jersey, 
wee  do  find  that  the  execution  of  the  said  two  Com- 
missions does  cause  disorders  and  differences  in  these 
Go  verm1  s with  regard  to  the  Govr  in  Chief  and  other- 
wise, Whereupon  we  do  humbly  represent  to  Your 
Majesty  that  upon  the  surrender  of  the  Govern1  of 
New  Jersey  to  your  Majesty  the  Gov1  in  Chief  of  the 
neighbouring  province  of  New  York,  was  by  a distinct 
commission  constituted  Govr  of  the  said  province  of 
New  Jersey,  And  whereas  the  Gov?  of  New  York, 
does  mostly  reside  at  New  York  and  that  upon  the 
occasions  of  his  being  absent  from  thence  to  visit  the 
Jerseys,  there  is  a president  and  Council  in  New  York 
for  the  dispatch  of  business  there,  Wee  are  humbly  of 
opinion,  that  your  Majesties  service  does  no  ways  re- 
10 


LORD  CORXBURY's  ADMINISTRATION. 


14  6 


[1706 


quire,  that  there  be  a Lieut*  Govr  of  New  York,  and 
that  therefore  the  Commission  to  Coll:  Ingoldesby  as 
such  be  revoked 

And  whereas  we  do  find  that  notwithstanding  his 
being  L*  Govr  of  New  Jersey,  where  it  will  be  his  duty 
to  reside,  he  is  not  yet  appointed  of  the  Councill  there, 
wee  are  f ml  her  humbly  of  opinion  that  your  Majesty 
be  pleased  to  appoint  him  of  the  said  Councill  of  New 
Jersey. — 

All  which  is  most  Humbly  submitted 
Dartmouth.  Robt  Cectll.  Ph.  Meadows. 

John  Pollexfex.  WM  Blathwayt.  Mat:  Prior. 

Her  Majesty  approving  of  the  said  Report,  is  pleased 
to  order  that  the  Commission  for  Constituting  Coll: 
Ingoldesby  Lieut*  Govr  of  New  York,  be  revoked,  and 
that  he  be  forthwith  admitted  and  sworn  one  of  the 
Councill  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Eight  HonWe  Mr  Seer: 
Hedges  is  to  cause  a Warrant  or  Warrants  to  be  pre- 
pared for  her  Majesty’s  Royal  Signature  accordingly 

Christ:  Musgrave 


Revocation  of  Richard  Ingoldesby' s Commission  as 
Lieut.  Gov.  of  New  York. 

[From  P.  R.  O B.  T.  New  York.  No.  50.  Ent.  Book  F.  p.  45*. 

Letter  to  Mr  Seer?*  Hedges  with  the  Draught  of 
a W arr*  for  revoking  Coll  Ingoldesby ’s 
Com’iss11  as  L*  Govr  of  New  York  and  for 
Constituting  him  one  of  the  Councill  of 
New  Jersey 

To  the  R*  Honb!e  Mr  Sec*1?  Hedges. 

Sr 

In  Answer  to  your  Letter  of  the  22th  Instant,  We 
return  you  here  inclosed,  the  Draught  of  a Warrant 


1706]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  147 

for  revoking  the  Commission  of  Collonel  Ingoldesby 
as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  York  and  for  Consti- 
tuting him  a Member  of  Her  Majesty’s  Counc1.1  of 
New  Jersey.  We  are. 

Sr 

Your  most  humble  Serv4.8 

Dartmouth 

Whitehall  Aprill  Rob4  Cecill. 

24th  1706.  Ph:  Meadows. 

Wm  Blathwayt. 

Mat:  Prior. 


Right  Trusty  and  Wellbeloved  Cousin  Wee  Greet 
you  well.  Whereas  it  has  been  represented  unto  Us, 
That  the  Execution  of  the  Two  Conrissions  Wee  have 
been  pleased  to  grant  to  Our  Trusty  and  Wellbeloved 
Richard  Ingoldesby  Esq!-  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New 
York  and  of  New  Jersey  does  Cause  Disorders  and 
differences  in  those  Governments.  Wee  have  there- 
fore thought  to  revoke  & Null  and  determine  as  wee 
doe  hereby  revoke  Annuli  and  determine  Our  Com- 
mission to  the  said  Richard  Ingoldsby  to  be  Lieutenant 
Govern!-  of  Our  said  Province  of  New  York,  declaring 
the  same  to  be  void  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  if  no 
such  Com’ission  had  ever  been  granted ; 

Whereof  you  are  to  give  Notice  to  the  said  Richard 
Ingoldesby  that  he  may  pay  due  Obedience  to  Our 
Pleasure  herein:  And  that  you  Cause  the  same  to  be 
registered  in  the  Books  of  Our  Councill  of  New  York  ; 
And  it  having  been  further  Represented  unto  Us,  That 
the  said  Richard  Ingoldesby  notwithstanding  his  being 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  where  it  will  be 
his  duty  to  reside  is  not  yet  appointed  of  the  Councill 
there.  Our  Will  and  Pleasure  is,  That  upon  the 
Receipt  hereof  you  doe  forthwith  Cause  him  the  said 
Ingoldesby,  to  be  Sworn  and  admitted  of  Our  Councill 


148 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1706 


of  Our  Province  of  New  Jersey  as  aforesaid.  And  for 
so  doing  this  shall  be  your  Warrant,  and  so  Wee  bid 
you  heartily  farewell.  Given  at  Our  Court  at 
the  Day  of  1706.  In  the  Fifth 

Year  of  Our  Reign 

By  Her  Majesty’s  Comd 


Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Governor  Cornbury. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  12  p.  282.] 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lord  Cornbury,  Gov- 
ernor of  New- Jersey. 

My  Lord , 

Since  Our  Letter  of  the  4th  of  February,  a Duplicate 
whereof  is  here  inclosed,  We  have  receiv’d  your  Lord- 
ships  of  the  27th  of  November  last. 

In  Answer  to  what  Your  Lordship  says,  relating  to 
the  number  of  Acres  of  Land  necessary  to  Qualify 
Persons  to  Elect  and  be  Elected  Members  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly;  We  must  refer  your  Lordship  to  what 
we  writ  you  in  Our  foresaid  Letter  of  the  fourth  of 
February. 

We  observe  that  your  Lordship  writes  in  relation  to 
the  Salaries  of  the  respective  Officers  in  your  Govern- 
ment of  New  Jersey;  But  we  do  not  think  it  necessary; 
they  should  be  so  high  as  those  in  New- York,  New 
Jersey  not  being  so  considerable  a Province  ; However 
your  Lordship  will  do  well  to  move  the  Assembly 
again  to  provide  sufficient  Salaries  for  the  said  respect- 
ive Officers,  in  case  the  present  settled  Revenue  will 
not  answer  those  Ends,  whereof  the  Establishment 
should  be  sent  to  Us. 

Your  Lordship  says,  That  Her  Maiesty  has  been 


1706]  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  149 

pleas’d  to  Settle  Five  Hundred  Pounds  Sterling  a Year 
upon  you  for  that  Governm1  But  your  Lordship  does 
not  tell  Us  how  and  when  the  same  was  done,  & by 
what  Establishing 

We  are  glad  to  understand  ^our  Lordship’s  Resolu- 
tion of  not  engaging  yourself  in  any  Party,  but  of  be- 
having yourself  equally  to  all  Her  Majesty’s  Subjects  ; 
which  will  most  tend  to  Her  Majesty’s  Service,  and 
Good  of  the  Country. 

As  to  CoP  Ingoldesby  ; We  are  to  acquaint  your 
Lordship,  that  Her  Majesty  has  been  pleas’d  to 
revoke  the  Commission  to  him  as  Lieutenant-Governor 
of  New- York,  and  to  order  that  he  do  reside  in  New 
Jersey,  where  he  is  likewise  appointed  one  of  the 
Council. 

We  are  My  Lord,  Your  Lordship’s 

most  humble  Servants, 
Dartmouth. 

Whitehall,  W™  Blathwayt. 

May  Is ? 1706.  Jno  Pollexfen. 

Matt.  Prior. 


From  Governor  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Inhabitan  ts  of 
Bergen , asking  for  trees  to  construct  stockades. 

■ From  the  Original  among  the  N.  J.  Hist.  Soc.  MSS.l 

[Addressed] 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Bergen  in 
the  Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey 

New  York  May  the  16th  1706 

Gentlemen 

Having  had  intelligence  lately  from  the  West  Indies 
that  a french  Squadron  of  Men  of  Warr  with  Land 
forces  on  board  them,  intend  to  attack  this  place,  I 


150  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1706 

am  taking  the  best  methods  I can  to  put  the  place  into 
a position  of  defence,  for  which  purpose  I shall  want 
a considerable  number  of  Stockades,  and  being  in- 
formed that  there  are  great  numbers  of  trees  growing 
upon  bergen  point  fit  for  that  purpose,  I send  this 
therefore  to  desire  that  you  will  allow  some  persons 
who  shall  be  sent  from  heare  to  cut  the  Stockades  we 
want,  and  likewise  that  some  of  your  people  may  help 
with  their  Carts  to  bring  them  to  the  water  side  for 
which  they  shall  be  paid. 

I am  Gentlemen 

Your  assured  friend 

Cornbury 


Affidavit  of  George  Ingoldesby  relating  to  sundry  Pro- 
ceedings of  Lord  Cornbury. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  25.] 

Affidavit  of  Mr  Ingoldesby  relating  to  Mr  Re- 
vel and  Leeds  two  of  the  Council  of  New 
Jersey,  and  to  the  Arbitrary  Proceedings 
of  the  Lord  Cornbury  &c 

George  Ingoldesby  late  of  the  Province  of  New  Jer- 
sey in  America  Gent  maketh  Oath  that  in  or  about 
the  Month  of  Novembr  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  1703, 
an  Assembly  having  been  Called,  and  Chosen,  prepared 
Bills  for  Settling  the  rights  of  the  proprietr.8  and  plant- 
ers, and  for  Raiseing  a Revenue  of  ffifteen  hundred 
pounds  for  One  Year,  and  One  Thousand  pounds 
Yearly  for  Two  Yeares  more;  for  ye  Support  of  the 
Government,  which  said  Assembly  was  afterwards 
dissolved,  and  in  1704  another  Assembly  was  Called, 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


151 


who  mett,  and  Attended  his  Excellency  my  Lord 
Cornbury  in  Councell,  in  Order  to  be  Sworne,  But  Mr 
Thomas  Revell,  and  M1  Daniel  Leeds,  Two  of  his  Lord 
shipps  Councell  objected  against  Three  of  the  Members 
Returned  (Vize)  Mr  Thomas  Lambert,  Mr  Thomas 
Gardner,  and  M“  Joshua  Wright  as  persons  not  having 
a Thousand  Acres  of  Land  a piece,  and  therefore  not 
Qualifyed  to  Serve  in  the  Assembly;  tho  they  were 
Generally  knowne  to  have  so  much  Land  at  the  time 
of  the  Elec’ion,  and  had  made  it  appear  before  the  said 
Revell  and  Leeds,  tho  as  the  Depon1  humbly  Conceives 
it  was  not  Examinable  by  his  Loppp,  or  his  Councell, 
but  in  ye  house  of  Representatives,  or  Assembly  only. 
Yet  his  Lopp’  Refused  to  Swear  the  said  Three  Mem- 
bers, and  Excluded  them  from  Sitting  to  Serve  their 
Country.  And  this  Depon*  further  Saith  That  yp 
County  for  which  the  said  Three  Members  were  Cho- 
sen, and  Several  other  Representatives  delivered  an 
humble  address  to  his  Loppp,  desiring  that  ye  afore- 
said Three  Members  might  be  Admitted  into  the  As- 
sembly, but  they  were  Still  kept  out  upon  ye  Ground- 
less Suggestion  of  Revell,  and  Leeds,  And  the  said 
Address  Called  a piece  of  Insolence,  and  111  manners: 
And  this  Depon*  further  Saith  that  by  this  Illegall 
Exclusion  of  the  said  Three  Members,  his  Lopp’s  party 
gained  a Majority  by  One  in  the  house  of  Representa- 
tives, And  then  Adjourned  the  hearing  of  the  Case  of 
the  said  Three  Members  till  his  Lopp’,  and  his  party 
had  Obtained  the  Ends  for  which  the  New  Assembly 
had  been  Called:  ffor  this  DepoiT  Saith  that  while  the 
Case  of  the  said  Three  Members  was  depending,  his 
Lopp’  Caused  a Bill  to  be  prpared,  and  passed  for  tak- 
ing away  the  Qualifications  of  Electors,  and  the 
Elected,  and  of  placeing  the  right  of  Chooseing,  and 
of  being  Chosen  in  the  Freeholders  Generally,  without 
any  Express  Value  of  their  Estates:  And  this  Depon* 
further  Saith  That  after  these  proceedings,  and  another 
Act,  or  Acts  had  passed  in  the  Assembly,  a day  for 


152  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  fl?06 

hearing  the  Case  of  the  said  Three  Members  was  ap- 
pointed, And  the  said  Revell,  and  Leeds  had  Notice 
thereof  but  never  appeared  against  the  said  Members, 
and  thereupon  the  House  after  a full  Examinac’on 
declared  the  said  Three  Members  duly  Qualifyed,  and 
Sent  Two  of  their  body  to  acquaint  his  Lopp’  there- 
with, Who  (Notwithstanding  it  is  Expressly  declared 
in  the  aforesaid  Act  that  the  Representatives  meeting 
in  Generali  Assembly es  Should  be  the  Judges  of  the 
Qualificac’ons  of  their  own  Members)  Told  the  Mem- 
bers that  were  sent  with  the  aforesaid  Message  that 
He  alsoe  must  be  Satisfyed  with  their  Qualificac’ons, 
as  well  as  the  house,  and  Still  kept  them  out  of  ye 
Assembly:  And  this  Depon1  further  Saith  that  the 
said  Lord  Cornbury  hath  assented  to  a Bill  in  the 
aforesaid  Assembly  for  Taxing  ''without  distinction, 
All  Lands  profitable,  or  Unprofitable  belonging  to  yu 
Inhabitants  in  New  Jersey,  whether  Residing  there 
themselves  or  by  their  Tenants,  which  Said  Tax  is 
Imposed  for  raiseing  a Revenue  of  2000£  p.  Anm  for 
Two  Yeares  under  prtence  for  the  Support  of  her 
Majtyes  Governm1  there,  And  hath  Contrary  to  ye  Ad- 
vice of  his  Councell  appointed  Fees  for  Patenting 
Lands;  And  this  Depon1  further  Saith  that  the  said 
Lord  Cornbury  hath  Ordered  All  publick  Books, 
Records  and  papers  to  be  delivered  to  Mr  Jeremiah 
Base,  who  hath  Carryed  them  out  of  the  province  of 
East  Jersey,  and  hath  without  ye  advice  of  his  Coun- 
cell  Constituted  Severall  Officers,  and  particularly 
William  Fisher  Sheriff  of  Burlingtone  who  was  Sus- 
pended by  his  Councells  Order,  but  is  Continued  Nev- 
ertheless to  Act  by  his  Lopp’s  Appointing  And  his 
Lopp’  hath  put  into  ye  Commission  of  peace  Severall 
persons  of  Scandalous  Reputac’on,  and  in  particular 
One  Ric’d  Salter  whome  his  Lopp’  knew  to  be  under 
prosecuc’on  for  Felony:  And  this  Depon1  further  Saith 
That  Thomas  Rilhngworth  Judge  in  Salem  County  is 
known  to  his  Lopp’  to  be  a Scandalous  person,  and 


1706]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  153 

Owned  by  him  publickly  as  Such  And  this  Depon1 
Saith  that  yc  aforesaid  Wm  Fisher  lias  been  burnt  in 
the  Hand  as  a Criminall,  and  one  Guilty  of  Notori- 
ous Rogueries,  and  was  Suspended  by  the  Councell, 
and  Restored  again  by  his  Lopp’  to  Act  his  Rogueries 
de  Novo:  for  in  a late  Elecc’on  without  Assigning  the 
least  Cause  for  what  he  did,  he  refused  (as  Sheriff)  to 
allow  any  person  to  Vote,  nnless  for  Such  Men  as  he 
named,  and  the  Quakers  in  particular  were  wholey 
Excluded  their  right  of  Voteing,  And  this  depon1  fur- 
ther Saith  that  upwards  of  One  Hundred  & fifty  of 
the  people  at  that  Elecc’on,  protested  against  ye  Illegall 
proceedings  of  the  said  Fisher  the  Sheriff,  And  this 
depon1  further  Saith  that  by  reason  of  the  aforesaid 
Tax  upon  Unprofitable  Lands,  And  the  Arbitrary  pro- 
ceedings of  the  said  Lord  Cornbury,  Severall  people 
have  been  discouraged  from  Settling  within  yc  Bounds 
of  his  Jurisdicc’on,  and  particularly  Thirty  people  who 
Came  from  Esopus,  and  Albany  with  Intent  to  pur- 
chase Land  there,  but  hearing  of  his  Arbitrary  pro- 
ceedings went  to  Pensyl vania:  And  this  Depon1 

further  Saith  that  Contrary  to  ye  Seaventh  and  Eighth 
Acts  of  William  & Mary  his  Lopp’  has  made  a French- 
man Receiver  Generali,  and  One  who  is  not  Soe  much 
as  an  Inhabitant  of  the  Province  And  Contrary  to  ye 
Trust  reposed  in  him  doth  misapply  great  part  of  the 
Publick  Revenue  by  reason  whereof  and  of  his  Neglect 
in  payment  of  the  Souldiers  the  Fronteers  of  New 
Yorke  province  are  Neglected  and  Left  defenceless  All 
which  proceedings  of  the  said  Lord  Cornbury  if  Speedy 
Care  be  not  taken  will  in  this  Deponts  Judgment  turne 
to  the  utter  mine  of  Trade  and  Impoverishing  of  the 
Said  Provinces 

Geor:  Ingoldesby 

Jurat  16°  die  July  Anno  D’ni 
1706  coram  me 
Tho  Rawlinson  Mayor 

[A  similar  affidavit  was  made  on  the  15th  July,  1706, 


154 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


by  J ohn  Hamilton,  excepting  that  the  reference  in  this 
to  the  characters  and  acts  of  William  Fisher  and 
Thomas  Rillingworth  is  omitted.  It  Closes  with  the 
following  paragraph,  which  is  not  found  in  the  above: 
“And  this  DepoiT  further  Saith  that  his  Lo’pp  hath 
been  Guilty  of  Bribery  and  this  Depon*  the  better 
knows  the  Same  for  that  John  Johnstone  John  Harri- 
son George  Willcocks  Miles  Foster  and  Severall  others 
told  this  Depon1  that  they  had  given  his  Lop’p  Two 
hundred  pounds  to  befriend  them  in  Some  particular 
Matters.”  Both  affidavits  were  received  by  the  Lords 
of  Trade  on  May  19th,  1708. — Ed.] 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
about  Proceedings  in  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.,  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  8.] 

Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board.1 

New  York  7ber  the  10th  1706 

My  Lords 

In  your  Lordshipps  Letter  of  the  4th  of  February  170§, 
You  are  pleased  to  direct  me  to  readmit  Mr  Morriss  into 
the  Councillupon  his  submission.  I assure  your  Lord- 
shipps that  he  shall  noe  sooner  doe  the  one,  but  I will 
doe  the  other,  and  I shall  be  very  well  satisfied  if  the 
Gentlemen  who  have  answered  for  his  behaviour  to  your 
Lordshipps  doe  not  find  themselves  mistaken ; I return 
your  thanks  for  the  confirmation  of  the  three  Gentle- 
men 1 recommended  to  be  of  the  Councill  of  New  Jersey; 
As  to  what  relates  to  Mr  Peter  Sonmans  I must 


Reed:  from  Mr.  Sloper,  28  November,  1706. 


1705]  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  155 

acquaint  you  that  he  has  been  here  some  time,  and  I 
have  not  observed  any  thing  in  him  yet  but  is  very 
well,  he  is  dilligent  and  zealous  in  promoting  the  Pro- 
prietors Interest;  but  has  always  done  it  with  that 
respect  to  her  Majesty  that  became  him,  and  indeed  I 
look  upon  him  to  be  a very  tit  Person  to  serue  in 
Councill,  there  is  now  liuing  for  the  Western  Division 
Mr  Jennings,  Mr  Reuell,  Mr  Davenport,  Mr  Deacon,  and 
Mr  Leeds  for  the  Eastern  Division,  Captain  Andrew 
Bowne,  Mr  Pinhorne,  and  Mr  Sandford,  besides  Collo- 
nell  Quary,  and  her  Majesty  having  been  pleased  to 
Add  Collonell  Coxe,  Col:  Townley,  and  Mr  Mompeson, 
and  your  Lordshipps  having  directed  me  to  restore  Mr 
Morriss  upon  his  submission,  there  will  be  noe  Vacancy 
yet,  but  Mr  Reuell,  Mrr  Davenport,  and  Capain  Andrew 
Bowne  are  all  three  dangerously  ill  at  this  time  and 
I am  afraid  of  an  incurable  disease,  I mean  old 
age,  besides  other  distempers,  I send  you  inclosed 
the  names  of  twelve  persons  which  I think  are  the  fittest 
to  serue  in  Councill,  as  others  drop  off;  I have  perused 
the  Attorney  Generali  Northey’s  opinion,  and  will  take 
care  that  it  be  observed;  As  for  what  your  Lordshipps 
observe  concerning  the  Acts  of  Assembly  passed  in 
1704:  I will  endeavour  to  get  those  alterations  you 
desire,  made  at  the  next  Sessions  which  is  to  begin  at 
Amboy  on  the  24th  day  of  8ber  next;  Your  Lordshipps 
are  pleased  to  say  that  a Complaint  has  been  made  to 
you  that  the  Elections  for  the  last  Assembly  were 
made  in  such  hast,  that  there  was  not  due  and  timely 
notice,  if  soe  the  fault  must  be  among  the  Sherifs,  for 
I have  always  directed  the  Secretary  to  take  care  there 
be  at  least  forty  days  allowed  between  the  Teste,  and 
the  Peturne  of  the  Writt.  Your  Lordshipps  likewise 
mention  a complaint  made  that  three  Members  were 
kept  out  of  the  Assembly  upon  some  objections  made 
against  them  by  Mr  Reuell,  and  Mr  Leeds,  and  that 
after  the  said  objections  were  removed,  I still  refused 


156 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


to  admit  them.  As  to  this  matter  I must  beg  leave  to 
referr  your  Lordshipps  to  my  letter  of  the  27th  of  9ber 
1705  which  went  by  her  Majesty’s  Ship  Nonsuch  Cap- 
tain Boyce  Commander.  In  that  letter  you  will  find 
that  as  soon  as  they  remoued  the  objections  they  were 
admitted.  As  for  the  complaint  made  by  the  Proprie- 
tors of  tho  Western  Division,  I have  this  to  say,  that 
at  my  first  taking  possession  of  the  Government  of 
New  Jersey  seuerall  prople  complained  to  me  that  the 
Agent  for  the  Proprietors  very  often  refused  to  let 
them  see  the  Record  where  their  Patents  were  recorded, 
and  that  they  had  great  reason  to  believe  that  their 
Patents  were  not  fairly  recorded,  and  desired  that  the 
Records  might  be  lodged  in  the  Secretary’s  Office 
where  they  might  have  resourse  to  them  at  all  times, 
which  I ordered  accordingly,  but  since  your  Lordshipps 
are  of  opinion  that  they  ought  to  be  restored  to  the 
Proprietors  Agents,  I will  take  care  it  shall  be  done 
forthwith.  As  for  the  Records  of  Deeds  and  Convey- 
ances being  carried  out  of  the  Province,  I know  noth- 
ing of  it,  nor  doe  I believe  it  has  been  done.  The  next 
Complaint  your  Lord  mention  to  have  been  made  to 
you  is  that  I have  put  into  the  Commission  of  the 
peace  severall  mean  and  contemptible  persons,  perticu- 
larly  one  Salter  whom  (they  say)  I knew  was  under 
prosecution  for  felony,  and  that  I have  granted  Com- 
missions in  the  Millitia  to  other  persons  who  have  noe 
Estates  in  the  Prouince;  to  this  I answer  that  I have 
not  put  one  Man  into  the  Commission  of  the  peace  in 
the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  but  such  as  have  been 
recommended  to  me  by  one,  or  more,  of  the  Gentlemen 
of  her  Majesty’s  Councill  for  that  Province.  As  for 
Salter  he  was  recommended  to  me  by  Captain  Andrew 
Bowne,  and  I doe  solemnly  protest  I never  heard  that 
he  was  under  any  prosecution  at  all  till  I received  your 
letter,  and  since  that  time  I have  made  the  strickest 
inquiry  I can  about  that  matter  and  I doe  find  that 


1706]  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  157 

severall  years  agoe  there  was  one  Salter  that  was 
under  prosecution  in  England  for  some  Crime,  but 
what  that  Crime  was  I can’t  learn,  but  it  is  positively 
affirmed  to  me  that  this  is  not  that  Man,  and  realy  if 
he  were  that  Man  it  would  be  a pretty  extraordinary 
thing  that  the  Country  should  choose  such  a Man  to  be 
one  of  their  Representatives  in  Cenerall  Assembly,  for 
he  is  actually  soe  now  in  this  Assembly,  and  I protest 
I never  yet  saw  any  thing  ill  in  the  man;  as  for  the 
Millitia  Officers,  I have  always  chosen  them  by  the 
Recommendation  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  or 
the  Field  Officers  of  the  respective  Regiments,  and  by 
the  best  inquiry  that  I can  make,  I can’t  find  that 
there  are  such  scandalous  persons  in  Commission, 
whenever  any  body  will  inform  me  of  any  such  per- 
sons I shall  soon  remove  them;  Your  Lordshipps  shall 
have  fair  Transcripps  of  all  the  minutes  of  Councill 
and  Assembly  with  the  first  opportunity;  and  all  other 
directions  you  are  pleased  to  give  me  shall  be  duely 
observed  by 

My  Lords 

Your  Lordships  most  faithfull 
humble  servant 

Cornbury 

I have  received  the  New  Seale  for  the  Province  of 
Nova  Caesarea. 

Since  I finished  this  Letter  some  of  the  Gentlemen 
of  New  Jersey  have  been  with  me,  and  desire  me  not 
to  send  any  List  till  the  meeting  at  Amboy  which  will 
be  very  shortly  I find  they  have  a mind  to  recomend 
some  persons,  therefore  I intreat  your  Lordshipps  will 
not  be  displeased  that  I doe  not  now  send  the  List 
which  I had  prepared. 


158 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1705 


Summons  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Councill  of 
West  Jersey. 

[From  copy  in  Alexander  West  Jersey  Papers,  p.  147.] 

Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Captain  Generali 
& Gouernor  in  Chiefe  in  and  ouer  the 
Prouince  of  New  Jersey  New  York  and  all 
the  Territories  and  Tracts  of  Land  Depend- 
ing thereon  in  America  & Vice  Admirall  of 
ye  same  &c 

To  Samuell  Jennings1  Tho:  Gardner  John  Read- 
ing Christopher  Weitherell  William  Riddle 
and  others  that  Call  themselves  the  Coun- 
cill of  Propriet’rs  of  ye  Western  Devission 
of  ye  Prouince  of  New  Jersey.  Greeting 

You  are  hereby  Required  and  Comanded  to  Attend 
me  in  Councell  att  Burlington  the  Twentieth  day  of 
April  next  ensueing  then  and  there  to  show  what 
Authority  You  haue  or  Pretend  to  as  a Counsel  of  Pro- 
prietors and  from  Whom  you  deriued  that  Authority 


1 Samuel  Jenings  and  his  family  arrived  in  West  Jersey  in  September,  1680.  He 
was  commissioned  Governor  by  Edward  Byllynge  soon  after  his  arrival,  and  at  the 
suggestion  of  William  Penn,  allowed  himself  to  be  elected  to  the  office  by  the  people, 
shortly  after:  causing  differences  with  Byllynge  which  led  to  his  being  sent  by  the 
Assembly  to  England,  with  Thomas  Budd,  to  confer  with  him  in  relation  thereto. 
The  mission  was  only  partially  successful.  The  differences  were  referred  to  the 
"judgment  and  determination1  ’ of  George  Fox,  G.  Whitehead  and  twelve  other 
distinguished  Friends,  whose  award  was  to  the  effect  that,  the  government  was 
rightfully  in  Byllynge,  and  that  no  authority  existed  for  the  election  of  a Governor 
by  the  people.  In  consequence  of  this  award,  made  in  1684,  Byllynge  in  1685 
appointed  John  Skene  to  be  Deputy  Governor.  For  some  years  this  mission  of 
Jenings  continued  to  be  a subject  for  discussion,  calling  for  much  animadversion 
and  recrimination  on  both  sides. — See  “ The  Case  Put  and  Decided  and  Truth  Rescued 
from  Forgery  & Falshood  1699.” 

During  the  period  of  suspense  that  antedated  the  conferment  of  the  government 
on  Lord  Cornbury,  Jenings  was  recommended  for  one  of  the  Council,  he  at  that 
time  (1701)  being  Speaker  of  the  West  Jersey  Assembly,  having  continued  to  fill 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


159 


and  that  in  ye  meantime  you  forbear  Granting  any 
Warrant  for  Laying  out  Lands  or  making  New  Pur- 
chases from  the  Indeans  without  first  Obtaining  a 
Lycence  from  the  Government  according  to  ye  Act 
intituled  An  Act  for  Regulating  the  Purchasing  of 
Lands  from  the  Indeans,  And  of  this  you  are  nott  to 
fade. 

Given  in  Councell  the  fourteenth 
By  his  Excellency s day  of  Nouember  in  ye  fifth  year 
Comand  of  her  Majesties  Raigne  Anno 

Dom.  1706 

J0  Bass  Sec.  Cornbury 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

(From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  12.] 

Letter  from  the  L?  Cornbury  to  the  Board; 
Reed  28^  April  1707. 

New  York  9ber  the  18th  1706 

My  Lords 

In  my  letter  of  the  10th  of  7ber  last  which  went  by 
the  Mast  Fleet  from  Boston  I acquainted  your  Lord- 


positions  among  his  fellow  Jerseymen  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  above 
referred  to.  A contemporaneous  writer  says  of  him,  “ he  was  a suppresser  of  vice, 
and  an  encourager  of  virtue,  sharp  towards  evil  doers,  but  tender  and  loving  to 
them  that  did  well;  giving  good  counsel  and  wholesome  advice  to  friends  and 
neighbors ; an  able  minister  of  the  gospel  [among  the  Quakers]  and  laboured  much 
therein,  to  the  comfort  and  edification  of  many  people  both  in  this  province  and 
other  places/’  Mr.  Jenings  was  made  one  of  Lord  Cornbury ’s  Council  and  con- 
tinued such  during  the  rest  of  his  life,  which  ended  in  1708.  During  most  of  this 
time  he  as  also  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  and  several  documents  of  interest  that 
have  his  name  attached  to  them,  show  that  his  position  in  the  Council  of  the  Gov- 
ernor did  not  prevent  his  presenting  in  the  most  forcible  manner  views  which  he 
knew  were  at  variance  with  those  of  that  functionary.  Smith  says  of  him:  “ Alive 
to  the  more  generous  emotions  of  a mind  form’d  to  benevolence  and  acts  of 
humanity,  he  was  a friend  to  the  widow,  the  fatherless  and  the  unhappy,  tender, 
compassionate,  disinterested;  abhorring  oppression  in  every  shape,  his  whole  con. 
duct  discovered  a will  to  relieve  and  befriend  mankind,  far  above  the  littleness  of 
party  or  sinister  views.”  He  left  three  daughters,  who  married  three  brothers 
named  Stephenson. — Proud’s  Hist,  of  Pennsylvania,  Smith’s  Hist,  of  New  Jersey,  p. 
323,  Field’s  Provincial  Courts,  p.  63. 


160  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1706 

shipps  that  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  was  to  sit  at 
Amboy  on  the  24th  of  8b.er  to  which  time  it  had  been 
adjourned,  at  my  arrivall  at  Amboy,  I found  none  of 
the  Councell  there,  and  but  four  of  the  Assembly,  this 
was  upon  friday,  soe  I thought  fit  to  adjourn  the  As- 
sembly till  the  Munday  following,  to  give  the  Mem- 
bers both  of  the  Councill  and  Assembly  time  to  come 
in,  on  the  Saturday  Mr  Pinhorn,  Mr  Mompesson,  and 
Collonell  Townley  arrived,  on  Munday  Cohonell  In- 
goldesby  and  Collonel  Cox  came  to  towne  and  four 
more  of  the  Assembly,  soe  there  not  being  enough  to 
make  a house  I adjourned  the  Assembly  to  the  next 
day,  and  soe  for  severall  days,  on  tuesday  Major  Sand- 
ford  arrived  and  four  more  of  the  Assembly,  and  on 
thursday  I received  letters  from  the  Western  Division 
to  acquaint  me  that  Mr  Reuell,  M1  Davenport  and  Mr 
Leeds,  all  three  of  the  Councill  were  very  111,  and 
likewise  that  the  Speaker  was  ill  but  hoped  in  a few 
days  to  be  able  to  travell,  Mr  Jennings  who  is  a quaker 
and  one  of  the  Councill  wrote  to  me  himself  to  de- 
sire that  he  might  be  excused  from  serving  any  more 
in  Councill,  saying  that  the  Charges  that  attended 
that  service  were  too  great  for  a Man  in  his  circum- 
stances. I acquainted  the  rest  of  the  Councill  with 
that  letter,  who  were  all  of  opinion  that  his  request 
ought  to  be  granted,  which  I have  agreed  to,  and  if 
your  Lordshipps  please  that  Mr  Sonmans  be  admitted 
in  his  stead,  it  shall  be  done,  as  soon  as  I receive  your 
Orders  for  it.1 

After  having  attended  till  the  14th  day  of  9ber  and 
finding  noe  likelihood  of  any  more  Members  of  the 
house  coming  I adiourned  the  Assembly  by  Proclama- 
tion to  the  12th  day  of  March  next,  but  since  that,  hav- 
ing discoursed  Collonell  Quaiy,  and  some  others  of 
the  Councill,  I have  resolved  to  disolve  that  Assembly, 


1 The  Queen  in  Council,  May  20,  1707,  appointed  Mr.  Sonmans  in  place  of  Mr. 
Jenings.  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  14.— Ed. 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY S ADMINISTRATION. 


161 


that  we  may  have  a new  one  Chosen  according  to  her 
Majesty’s  Additionall  Instruction  to  me. 

I must  now  beg  leave  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps 
that  having  last  Summer  received  from  M‘  Secretary 
Harley  her  Majesty’s  Royall  Commands  to  cause  a 
Grant,  or  Grants,  to  be  passed  under  the  seale  of  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey  of  all  the  Proprieties  and 
shares  of  Arent  Son  mans  deceased,  and  Peter  S011- 
mans  his  Son,  to  one  Joseph  Ormston  of  London  Mer- 
chant and  Rachell  his  Wife;  this  letter  was  brought 
to  me  by  one  John  Ormston,  at  a time  when  my  Wife 
lay  very  ill  of  a sicknesse  of  which  she  is  since  dead, 
this  Ormston  was  very  pressing  for  me  to  goe  imme- 
diadely  into  New  Jersey  to  dispatch  that  Grant,  the 
letter  being  directed  to  me  and  Councill,  I told  him 
that  as  soon  as  I could  see  my  Wife  in  such  a condi- 
tion that  I might  hope  to  find  her  alive  at  my  return  I 
would  goe,  And  accordingly  I did  in  some  time  after 
that  (hoping  my  Wife  had  been  upon  the  recovery) 
send  to  the  Secretary  of  New  Jersey  to  acquaint  all 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  that  I desired  them  to 
meet  me  at  Amboy  on  a certain  day  in  June,  at  which 
time  I was  there  according  to  appointment,  but  there 
met  me  hut  three  of  the  Councill.  And  as  by  my  In- 
structions, I am  directed  not  to  Act  with  lesse  than 
five  unlesse  it  be  in  Cases  of  Emergency,  in  which  I 
may  act  with  three,  soe  I did  not  think  this  Case  to  be 
of  that  nature,  espetially  when  the  Secretary  acquaint- 
ed me  that  Mr  Peter  Sonmans  had  entred  a Caveat 
in  his  Office  against  the  passing  of  any  such  Grant 
before  he  was  heard;  I told  Mr  Ormston  that  I was 
sorry  it  hapned  soe  that  he  could  not  be  dispatched  at 
that  time,  but  that  I hoped  in  a little  time  I should 
get  the  Councill  together,  and  that  he  should  always 
find  me  ready  to  obey  her  Majesty’s  Commands  in  all 
things;  after  this  I returned  to  York  where  the  people 
were  in  continual  allarms  occasioned  by  the  frequent 
11 


LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1706 


W'> 


accounts  we  had  from  the  West  Indies,  of  Monsieur 
D'Ibervilles  design  of  attacking  this  place,  And  indeed 
I did  not  think  that  a proper  time  to  be  absent  from 
this  place.  I was  therefore  forced  to  put  Mr  Ormston 
off  till  the  time  the  Assembly  was  to  meet  at  Amboy, 
which  was  to  meet  in  8b?r  this  Mr  Ormston  was  ex- 
treamlv  angry  at,  and  told  some  persons  here  that  he 
would  send  complaints  against  me  into  England  for 
this  delay,  this  came  to  my  knowledge  but  within  a 
few  days,  and  that  is  the  cause  of  my  troubling  your 
Lordshipps  with  this  matter  at  this  time  hoping  you 
will  be  soe  kind  as  to  stand  my  friends  on  this  occa- 
sion, considering  the  reasons  that  obliged  me  to  it.  I 
shall  now  farther  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  being 
at  Amboy  at  the  time  the  Assembly  was  to  have  sate 
there,  and  there  being  five  of  the  Councill  there  I did 
acquaint  them  with  the  Commands  I had  received 
from  her  Majesty,  and  ordered  the  letter  to  be  read, 
which  being  done  and  the  Secretary  acquainting  the 
board  that  Mr  Sonmans  had  entred  a Caveat  in  his 
Office,  I ordered  Mr  Ormston  and  Mr  Sonmans  to  be 
called  in,  and  acquainted  them  that  I had  communi- 
cated the  Queen’s  Commands  to  the  Councill,  and  that 
we  were  ready  to  hear  what  they  had  farther  to  offer 
upon  that  subject.  Mr  Ormston  said  that  the  Queen’s 
Orders  were  positive  and  that  he  expected  in  obedience 
to  them  he  should  have  a Grant  under  the  Seale  of  the 
Province,  of  the  Estate  of  Arent  Sonmans  deceased, 
and  Peter  Sonmans  his  Son,  to  this  Mr  Sonmans  re- 
plied, that  this  Order  was  obtained  after  he  left 
England,  and  consequently  without  his  being  heard, 
that  he  is  naturalised,  and  consequently  ought  to  be 
looked  upon  as  a nalurall  born  subject,  and  that  as 
such  he  ought  not  to  be  divested  of  his  free  hold  with- 
out being  heard,  that  he  had  many  things  to  offer 
against  the  passing  of  any  such  Grant,  and  desired  he 
might  be  heard  by  his  Councill.  this  was  thought  a 


1706] 


LORD  CORNBURY^S  ADMINISTRATION. 


163 


reasonable  thing,  and  it  was  ordered  that  he  should  be 
heard  by  his  Councill  on  the  Munday  following,  this 
Order  was  made  on  Saturday  the  9th  day  of  9ber,  and 
accordingly  on  munday  Mr  Sonmans  Councill  was 
heard.  Mr  Ormston  hauing  Councill  alsoe,  the  Coun- 
cill for  Mr  Sonmans  insisted  that  the  Queen  was  de- 
ceived in  her  Grant  and  offered  many  reasons  to  prove 
it,  which  I dont  trouble  your  Lordshipps  with  now 
because  I have  sent  a full  account  by  the  way  of  the 
West  Indies,  they  farther  insisted  that,  though  an 
Alien  can  hold  noe  Lands  but  in  the  Right  of  the 
Crowne,  yet  the  Queen  can  make  noe  Grant  of  any 
such  Lands  till  they  are  vested  in  the  Queen  by  an 
Office  found  upon  Record;  the  Councill  for  Mr  Ormston 
did  not  offer  any  things  against  the  points  of  Law 
urged  hy  the  Councill  of  the  other  side,  but  insisted 
that  the  Queens  Commands  were  positive  and  ought 
to  be  obeyed,  and  that  the  Gouuernor  and  Councill  of 
New  Jersey  are  not  competent  Judges  whether  the 
Queen's  Commands  shall  be  obeyed  or  not,  and  this 
was  all  that  was  offered  on  that  side,  this  being  done, 
I desired  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Countill  to  consider 
what  had  been  offered  on  both  sides,  and  that  if  they 
were  not  ready  to  give  their  opinions  then,  they  should 
have  time,  but  I had  rather  they  would  doe  it  then, 
they  all  said  they  were  ready,  and  declared  one  after 
another,  that  they  were  of  opinion  that  noe  Grant 
ought  to  passe,  till  the  whole  matter  were  humbly 
laid  before  her  Majesty,  And  her  pleasure  farther 
known;  this  I have  endeavoured  to  doe  as  fully  as  I 
could  by  way  of  the  West  Indies,  both  to  the  Right 
Honoble  Mr  Secretary  Harley,  and  to  your  Lordshipps 
of  which  I would  have  sent  duplicates  by  this  Ship,  but  I 
am  come  to  towne  Just  time  enough  to  write  this  letter. 

I am  My  Lords  Your  Lordships 

most  faithfull  humble  servant 
of  Trade  &c.  Cornbury 


164 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


Petition  from  Proprietors  and  Purchasers  of  West 
Jersey  to  Lord  Cornbury. 

[From  original  in  Alexander  West  Jersey  Papers,  p.  149.J 

To  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Captain  Gen- 
erate and  Governour  in  chief  in  and  over 
the  Province  of  New  Jersey  New  York  and 
all  the  territories  and  tracts  of  land  depend- 
ing thereon  in  America  and  Vice  Admirall 
of  the  same  &c: 

The  humble  petition  of  divers  of  the  proprietors 
and  purchasers  of  the  western  division  of  New  Jersey 
in  all  humility  sheweth. — 

That  Whereas  we  are  fully  Informed  that  the 
Councill  of  Proprietors  for  the  western  division  have 
received  a Prohibition  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  in 
Councill  held  at  Amboy  the  fourteenth  day  of  Novem- 
ber Anno  Dom:  1706  for  granting  any  warrants  for 
laying  out  lands  &c  by  reason  whereof  no  warrants 
can  be  obtained  for  that  end,  to  the  great  prejudice  of 
such  as  haue  (as  they  Concieve)  a good  and  lawfull 
right  to  take  up  their  Just  proportions  of  land  In  the 
division  aforesaid  haveing  as  good  an  undevided  right 
as  any  else  can  pretend  to  and  have  also  bought  the 
same  of  the  Indians  for  a very  valuable  consideration. 
Wherefore  we  humbly  pray  that  such  prohibition 
and  Impediments  may  be  removed  and  we  evidencing 
our  rights  to  such  person  or  persons  as  the  Proprietors 
have  appointed  to  Inspect  the  same  may  be  admitted 
thereto  and  we  shall  as  in  duty  bound  forever  pray. 
Thomas  Brian  John  Sharpe  Henry  Burr 

Willm  Stevenson  Richard  Haines  Samuel  Lipincott  Junr 

Daniel  Wills  William  Heulings  Richard  Fenimore 

John  Gosling  Henry  Ballinger 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


165 


Will.  Petty  Jr 
Edward  Elkinton 
Joshua  Humphries 
Thmmas  Eyes 
Thomas  Stoker 
John  haines 
William  Evens 
Benjamin  Moore 
Stephen  Wilson 
Jghn  Horten 
Thomas  Wilkins 
William  Horton 


John  Jones  \ his  mark 
John  Stokes 
John  Woolman 
John  Clark 
Joseph  Kirkbride 
Wm  Biles 
John  Swift 
Roger  Parke 
Sam^l  Ferris 
Nath  Pope 
John  d Day 

m..rk 

John  Abb  at 
Matthew  Watson 


John  Shinn 


Thomas  Peacher 
Nathan  Allen 
Edward  Rockhill 
John  Bacon 


Speech  of  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Assembly  of  New 

Jersey. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C,  18.] 

Copy  of  the  Lord  Cornburys  Speech  to  the 
Assembly  of  New  Jersey  recommending 
to  their  care  the  Dispatch  of  public  Busi- 
ness &ca  referred  to  in  his  Lordp.s  Lre:  of  the 
7 June  1707  Rec’d:  27  Janu:  I70g 

Gentlemen 

I am  glad  to  see  so  full  an  Appearance  at  the  begin- 
ning of  ye  Sessions,  I could  have  wished  the  rest  of  the 
members  had  Attended  their  Duty  to  the  Queen  & 
their  Country  likewise,  for  I must  be  of  Opinion,  that 
business  is  always  best  done  in  a full  House. 

The  first  thing  I shall  Recomend  to  ye  Consideration 
of  ye  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  & 
wch  I have  in  Command  from  ye  Great  Queen  of  Eng- 
land my  Mistres,  is,  That  you  settle  such  a Revenue 
upon  her  Majty  as  may  be  sufficient  to  support  ye 
Dignity  & Supply  all  the  necessary  Charges  of  Go  verm  J 


166  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

And  because  it  has  been  Represented  to  the  Queen,  y* 
yc  Country  is  not  yet  able  to  Answer  very  great  Taxes, 
her  most  Sacred  Majty  who  is  always  Solicitous,  not 
only  for  ye  welfare  & happiness,  but  also  for  ye  ease  of 
all  her  Subjects,  as  far  as  it  is  possible,  has  Com- 
manded me  to  Acquaint  you,  that  she  is  graciously 
pleased  to  Accept  of  Fifteen  hundred  pounds  a year, 
in  Lieu  of  Two  Thousand  wch  was  Granted  for  two 
years,  wch  ended  on  ye  13*?1  day  of  December  last,  I am 
likewise  to  Acquaint  you  That  ye  Queen  expects  it 
should  be  settled  for  one  & Twenty  years. 

The  next  thing  wch  I most  earnestly  Recomend  to 
yor  serious  Consideration,  is  ye  preparing  a Bill  or  Bills, 
whereby  yc  Right  & Property  of  ye  General  Proprietors 
to  the  Soil  of  this  Province  may  be  Confirmed  to  them, 
according  to  their  respective  Rights  & Titles,  & like- 
wise for  yc  Confirming  & settling  ye  particular  Titles, 
& Estates  of  all  ye  Inhabitants  of  this  Province,  & 
other  purchasers  Claiming  under  ye  General  Proprie- 
tors: This  I must  observe  to  you,  I have  Recommended 
to  ye  Assembly,  every  Sessions  since  I have  had  yu 
Honor  to  serve  her  Majty  in  ye  Government  of  this. 
Province,  what  has  hindred  it  till  this  time  I will  not 
undertake  to  Say,  but  sure  I am,  that  nothing  can 
Contribute  more,  to  ye  Settlement,  Welbeing,  & happi- 
ness of  this  people  & Country,  than  ye  doing  this  as  it 
ought  to  be;  I hope  this  Assembly  will  have  ye  Good 
Luck  to  find  ye  Right  Methods  of  Attaining  these  great 
& good  Ends,  in  which  no  Assistance  of  Mine  shall  be 
wanting. 

I must  Observe  to  you.  That  ye  Highways  directed  to 
be  laid  out  by  a former  Act  of  Assembly  of  this 
Province,  have  not  been  laid  out  according  to  ye  Direc- 
tions of  that  Act,  tho’  the  Commissioners  have  been 
often  Called  upon  to  do  their  Duty,  I cannot  but  take 
Notice  y*  the  Bridges,  are  in  so  ill  a Condition,  jx  after 
any  sudden  rain  it  is  very  dangerous  to  go  over  them. 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  167 

I think  if  a Tax  were  laid  for  the  building  of  Bridges, 
& good  Managers  appointed,  for  ye  laying  out  y1 
money,  & seeing  ye  work  effectually  done,  it  would 
not  only  be  a Conveniency  Sc  safty  to  Travellers  & 
Traders,  but  it  would  be  less  Charge  & trouble  to  the 
People,  for  then  a very  Small  Charge  wVl  Care,  would 
maintain  them  many  years. 

I think  it  my  Duty  to  Recomend  to  you,  ye  preparing 
a Bill  for  the  Settling  ye  Qualifications  of  Persons  to 
serve  upon  Jurys,  the  lives  of  men  & ye  Titles  of  their 
Estates  are  often  lyable  to  be  called  in  Question,  Sc  I 
think  it  is  not  proper  that  every  Idle  person,  should  be 
capable  of  serving  upon  those  Occasions. 

Gentlemen 

I have  often  Recomended  a Review  of  the  Laws  in 
force  in  this  Province,  before  ye  Government  was  Sur- 
rendered to  her  Majty  perhaps  some  may  be  found  fit 
to  be  Re-enacted  in  ye  same  words  they  are  now  Con- 
ceived, or  at  least  with  some  Amendments  may  be 
made  fit  for  the  Queens  Approbation,  if  any  such  are 
you  shall  always  find  me  ready  to  Receive  them. 

I must  further  Acquaint  you  Gentlemen  That  her 
most  Sacred  Majty  ye  Queen  who  is  desirous  y‘  all  her 
Subjects  may  equally  enjoy,  ye  benefit  Sc  Advantage 
of  Trade  without  incroaching  one  upon  yc  other, 
Expects  y'  a Bill  or  Bills  be  past,  to  lay  ye  Same  Dutys 
Sc  Impositions  upon  Goods  Imported  into,  or  exported 
out  of  this  Province,  as  are  paid  by  her  Subjects  of  ye 
Neighbouring  Province  of  New  York,  yl  by  that  means 
her  Subjects  there  Sc  here,  may  be  upon  an  equal  foot. 

I cannot  Conclude  without  putting  you  in  Mind,  that 
ye  Act  for  settling  ye  Militia  of  this  Province  is  Expired 
by  its  own  Limitation,  I propose  to  you  ye  Reviving 
that  Act  for  ye  ease  of  the  People,  for  if  it  is  not 
Revived,  I must  Govern  my  self  with  Respect  to  the 
Militia,  according  to  ye  Laws  of  England,  which  will 
not  be  so  easy,  especially  to  some  people  as  yl  Act  was. 


LORD  CORN  B CRTS  ADMINISTRATION. 


IMS 


[i;o: 


These  Gentlemen,  are  ye  things  I thought  proper  to 
Recoin  end  to  you  at  this  Time,  if  there  be  any  thing 
else,  for  ye  Service  of  ye  Queen  & real  good  & welfare 
of  ye  Country  ( wrh  I must  say  are  in  their  own  Natures 
Inseparable)  wch  you  think  ought  to  be  provided  for  by 
a Law.  you  shall  alwav's  find  me  ready,  to  Imbrace,  & 
as  far  as  in  me  lyes  to  Incourage  such  things:  I have 
nothing  more  to  add.  but  to  recomend  to  you  Dispatch 
in  ye  Affaires  before  you.  & the  best  way  to  Attain 
that  will  be,  to  lay  aside  all  private  Animosities,  yl  you 
may  the  more  freely  Apply  all  yo-  thoughts  & yo- 
Time  to  ye  Service  of  the  Queen  & yor  Country. 

Spoken  at  Burlington 

April  ve  7th  1707. 


Gentlemen 

The  reason  of  iny  Requiring  yo-  Attendance  at  this 
Time  is,  because  in  reading  yor  Votes  of  yesterday,  I 
Observe  you  are  falling  into  several  Irregularities, 
never  thought  of  before  by  any  Assembly  of  men  in 
any  part  of  y€  Queens  Dominions,  therefore  I think  it 
my  Duty  to  take  notice  to  you  of  them,  that  such 
things  may  be  avoided,  from  which  no  good  can  ensue, 
but  only  an  Interruption  & hindrance  of  the  Publick 
Business,  to  ye  Manifest  prejudice  of  her  Majesties 
Service,  & the  Good  A Welfare  of  the  people  in  General. 

The  first  thing  y*  I shall  Observe  is.  That  you  being 
Resolved  into  a Committee  of  the  whole  House,  have 
turn'd  out  ye  Clerk  who  is  a Sworn  Officer,  & a Man  of 
known  Integrity,  this  Gentlemen  is  without  precedent, 
& that  which  I dare  be  bold  to  say,  no  ConTittee  of  ye 
whole  House  of  Commons  in  England  ever  Attempted. 

The  next  thing  is  a greater  irregularity,  if  possible 
than  this,  for  you  Appoint  one  of  yo-  Members  to  be 
your  Clerk,  by  which  you  deprive  a Member  of  his 
Right  of  Debating  & Voting:  for  a Clerk  can  neither 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


160 


1707J 


Debate  nor  Vote.  These  Gentlemen  are  things 
extremely  irregular,  & therefore  ought  carefully  to  be 
avoided.  The  best  Advice  I can  give  you  upon  this 
Occasion  is,  to  Return  to  yoV  House  & proceed  calmly 
upon  the  weighty  matters  before  you,  like  men  deter- 
mined to  do  their  Country  Service.  I am  well  satisfied 
the  people  expect  to  have  their  Titles,  & their  posses- 
sions of  their  Lands  settled  & Quieted  by  some  good 
Bill,  or  Bills  to  be  passed  in  this  Assembly,  ye  Queen 
expects  to  have  a Revenue  Settled,  there  are  other 
matters  of  great  Moment  before  you,  wc.h  will  imploy 
yoT-  Time  much  better,  than  unnecessary  Disputes  or 
Irregular  proceedings  will  do.  Therefore  once  more,  I 
exhort  you  to  return  to  yor  House,  & give  such  Dis- 
patch to  ye  matters  before  you,  as  may  be  reasonable. 
If  you  have  any  Grievances  to  Complain  of,  I dare 
assure  you,  that  as  soon  as  they  are  known,  & appear 
really  to  be  such,  they  will  be  Redressed. 

Spoken  at  Burlington 

April  ye  9th  1707. 


Additional  Instruction  to  Lord  Cornbury , as  to  the 
administration  of  the  Government  in  case  of  liis 
death  or  absence . 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  No.  12,  p.  291.] 

An  Additional  Instruction 1 to  our  Right  Trusty 
and  Well-beloved,  Edward  Lord  Viscount 
Cornbury,  our  Captain  General  and  Gover- 
nor in  Chief  of  our  Province  of  New  Jersey 
in  America,  and  in  his  Absence  to  our  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor or  Commander  in  Chief 


" Sent  to  the  Earl  of  Sunderland  22d  April,  1707.” 


170  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

of  our  said  Province,  for  the  time  being — 
Given  at  our  Court  at  Kensington,  the 
third  day  of  May,  in  the  Sixth  Year  of  our 
Reign : 1707. 

Whereas  by  a Clause  in  Our  Commission  and  In- 
structions to  You,  Our  Captain- General  and  Governor 
in  Chief  of  Our  Province  of  New  Jersey,  It  is  directed, 
That  upon  your  Death  or  Absence  (in  case  there  be  no 
Lieutenant-Governor  appointed  by  Us  upon  the  Place) 
the  then  Council  do  take  upon  them  the  Administra- 
tion of  the  Government,  and  that  the  Eldest  Counsel- 
lor do  preside,  as  by  the  said  Commission  and  Instruc- 
tions is  more  particularly  set  forth;  and  We  having 
Observ’d,  that  this  Instruction  has  given  Occasion  of 
many  Controversies  and  Disputes  between  the  Presi- 
dents and  the  Counsellors,  and  between  the  Counsellors 
themselves,  and  otherwise,  in  several  of  Our  Planta- 
tions, to  the  great  Hindrance  of  the  Publick  Business, 
and  to  the  Prejudice  and  Disturbance  of  Our  Service 
there  ; Our  Will  and  Pleasure  therefore  is,  That  if 
upon  Your  Death  or  Absence,  there  be  no  Person  upon 
the  Place  Commissionated  by  Us  to  be  Our  Lieutenant 
Governor  or  Commander  in  Chief,  the  Eldest  Counsel- 
lor, whose  Name  is  first  placed  in  our  said  Instructions 
to  You,  and  who  shall  be  at  the  time  of  your  Death  or 
Absence,  residing  within  Our  said  Province  of  New 
Jersey,  shall  take  upon  him  the  Administration  of  the 
Government,  and  execute  Our  said  Commission  and 
Instructions,  and  the  several  Powers  and  authorities 
therein  contained,  in  the  same  Manner,  and  to  all  In- 
tents and  Purposes,  as  other  our  Governor  or  Com- 
mander in  Chief  should  or  ought  to  do,  in  case  of 
your  Absence,  until  your  Return,  or  in  all  Cases,  until 
Our  further  Pleasure  be  Known  thereon.  So  We  bid 
you  very  heartily  Farewell. 

By  Her  Majesty’s  Command. 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURIS  ADMINISTRATION. 


171 


Petition  of  the  General  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  the 
Queen , relating  to  the  difficulties  attendant  on 
Lord  Cornbury’s  government. 

[From  Contemporaneous  Draft  among  N.  J.  Hist.  Soc.  MSS.] 

To  the  Queens  Most  Excellent  Majesty 
The  Humble  Petition  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  your  Majesties  Province  of  Hew- Jersey. 
Dread  Sovereigne 

Your  Majesties  Loyall  Subjects  the  Representatives 
of  this  Province  in  General  Assembly  met  and  Assem- 
bled Begg  leave  to  lay  at  your  Majesties  Boyall  feet  an 
Account  of  the  hardships  they  Indure  under  the  ad- 
ministration of  his  Excellencie  Edward  Lord  Viscount 
Combury  some  time  after  the  publication  of  your 
Majesties  Letters  patents  to  his  Excellencie  an  Assem- 
bly was  Called  who  met  at  the  Cittv  of  Amboy  and 
after  some  time  were  adjourned  to  the  Cittv  of  Bur- 
lingtown  who  was  willing  to  raise  such  *a  summe  of 
Money  for  the  support  of  your  Majesties  Goverment 
here  as  the  Circumstances  of  the  Country  would 
admitt  of.  But  Sundry  persons  being  dissatisfied  with 
them  and  thinking  themselves  agrieved  privately 
Raised  Considerable  Summs  of  money  to  dissolve  the 
then  Assembly  and  Constitute  such  officers  Civill  and 
military  as  the  Contributors  should  approve  of,  upon 
which  their  Assembly  was  dissolved  and  many  mean 
and  mercenary  men  put  into  office,  who  dayly  harrass 
and  abuse  your  Majesties  most  Considerable  Subjects 
in  this  province.  Your  Majesties  Loyall  Subjects  the 
Assembly  of  this  Province  having  had  Several  Evi- 
dences taken  before  them  have  great  Reason  to  believe 
that  the  money  so  Raised  was  given  to  his  Excellencie 
and  did  Induce  him  to  dissolve  the  then  Assembly  and 


172  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

Refuse  to  Swear  three  members  duly  Elected  and 
Returned  by  the  Sherife  to  serve  in  the  Next  Assembly 
upon  the  Groundless  Suggestion  of  two  members  of 
your  Majesties  Council!  here  viz:  Thomas  Re  veil  and 
Daniel  Leeds  which  Councillors  when  the  Assembly 
had  appointed  a day  of  hearing  never  appeared  to 
Justifie  their  allegations  to  the  Assembly  who  upon  a 
thorough  Examination  of  the  Matter  found  them  duly 
Elected  and  Qualified  and  accordingly  sent  two  of  their 
Members  to  Acquaint  his  Excellencie  with  it  and  to 
Pray  him  to  admitt  them  to  be  Sworn  that  they  might 
take  their  places  in  the  House  which  his  Excellencie 
did  refuse  to  do  pretending  he  had  a Right  to  Judge  of 
their  Qualifications  and  keep  them  out  nigh  Eleven 
Months  which  being  a great  violation  of  the  Rights 
and  Liberties  of  your  Majesties  Loyall  Subjects  here 
and  an  assuming  to  himself  a negative  voyce  to  the 
freeholders  Election  of  their  Representatives  and  by 
which  Means  he  procured  the  passing  of  Severall 
Laivs  which  Have  and  Do  greatly  oppress  your  Majes- 
ties Loyall  Subjects  and  have  so  farr  Impoverished 
them  that  they  are  Incapable  of  Raising  Such  a Rev- 
enue for  the  support  of  your  Majesties  Government 
here  as  is  desired  of  them  or  as  otherways  they  would 
be  Inclined  to  do. 

They  therefore  In  all  Humble  Manner  Throw  them- 
selves at  your  Majesties  Royall  feet  Imploring  Your 
Majestie  to  Relieve  them  from  the  oppressions  they 
groan  under  by  the  arbitrary  and  Illegal  Practices  of 
his  sd  Excellencie,  and  if  your  Majestie  would  be  Gra- 
ciously pleased  to  appoint  A.  Governour  over  this 
your  Majesties  Province  that  is  not  Governour  also 
of  your  Majesties  Province  of  New  York  it  would  In- 
finitely Conduce  to  the  Ease  and  Prosperitie  of  your 
Majesties  Loyall  Subjects  here  whose  Circumstances 
are  such  that  they  are  not  able  to  pay  the  Salary  of  a 
Governour  and  the  Extraordinarie  Charges  of  his 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY ’s  ADMINISTRATION*. 


173 


travelling  from  New- York  to  this  place  and  back 
again. 

Did  not  a series  of  Male  Administration  give  us 
reason  to  dispair  of  any  relief e by  application  to  his 
Excellencie  Wee  had  not  presum’d  to  trouble  your 
Majestie  with  our  Complaints  to  whom  it  must  be 
uneasie  to  hear  that  any  (though  the  most  contempti- 
ble) of  her  subjects  are  opprest,  the  Remotest  part  of 
her  Dominions  not  being  Exempt  from  her  Royall 
Care  and  Intituled  to  a proportionable  Share  of  her 
princely  Goodness  and  Clemencie 
In  Humble  hope  and  Confidence  of  being  heard  by 
your  Majestie  Wee  pray  that  your  Majestie  will  be 
pleased  to  take  such  Measures  for  the  Reliefe  of  your 
Majesties  poor  opprest  Petitioners  as  in  your  Royall 
Wisdom  you  shall  Judge  most  litt  and  your  Petition- 
ers as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray  that  God  will 
give  your  Majestie  many  glorious  Days  and  make  your 
Majestie  Compleatly  happy  both  here  and  hereafter. 

By  order  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
A:  M:  Die  Lune,  5°  Maij  Anno  Dom:  1707. 

Divers  of  the  Members  of  this  Assembly  being  of 
the  people  Called  Quakers  do  all  assent  to  the  matter 
and  substance  of  the  above  written  but  make  some 
Exceptions  to  the  Stile. — 


Remonstrance  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey , against 
certain  evils , to  which  the  Province  was  subjected , 
and  Lord  Cornbury' s Answer. 

LFrom  P.  R.  O.  America  and  West  Indies,  Vol.  6.J 

To  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Viscount  Cornbury 
Capt.  General  & Governor  in  Chief  of  the 
said  Province.  Delivered  by  Samuell  Jen- 


174 


LORD  CORNBURV’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


ings,  Speaker  of  the  said  Assembly,  at  Bur- 
lington the  8th  day  of  May,  1 707.  [Inclosed 
in  Mr  Morris  9th  Feb’y  1707-8.] 

May  it  Please  the  Governor ; 

We  her  Majestys  loyal  subjects,  the  Representatives 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  are  heartily  sorry,  that 
instead  of  raising  such  a Revenue  as  is  by  the  Gover- 
nour  (as  we  suppose  by  the  Queens  directions)  required 
of  us,  we  are  obliged  to  lay  before  him  the  unhappy 
Circumstances  of  the  Province;  It  is  a Task  we  un- 
dertake not  of  choice,  but  necessity,  and  have  there- 
fore reason  to  hope,  that  what  we  say.  may  meet 
with  a more  favorable  reception. 

We  pray  the  Governour  to  be  assured,  its  our  mis- 
fortunes extorts  this  procedure  from  us,  and  that  we 
should  betray  the  trust  reposed  in  us  by  our  Country 
if  we  did  not  endeavour  to  obtain  Relief. 

The  Governours  promises  encourages  us  to  hope,  he 
will  not  be  deaf  to  our  entreaties,  nor  by  his  denyal 
render  our  attempts,  for  the  best  ends,  fruitless. 

We  may  not,  perhaps,  rightly  apprehend  all  the 
causes  of  our  sufferings,  but  have  reason  to  think  some 
of  them  are  very  much  owing  to  the  Governours  long 
absence  from  this  Province,  which  renders  it  very 
difficult  to  apply  to  him  in  some  cases  that  may  need  a 
present  help. 

It  were  to  be  wished,  that  the  affairs  of  New  York 
would  admit  the  Governour  oftner  to  attend  to  those 
of  New-Jersey,  he  had  not  then  been  unacquainted 
with  our  Grievances,  and  we  are  inclin’d  to  believe 
they  would  not  have  grown  to  so  great  a number. 

1 It  is  therefore  in  the  first  place  humbly  represented 
to  the  Governour’s  consideration,  that  some  persons 
under  sentence  of  Death  for  Murder;  have  not  only 
remained  till  this  time  unexecuted  (they  being  con- 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


175 


demned  not  long  after  Lord  Cornbury’s  accession  to 
this  Government)  but  often  have  been  suffered  to  go 
at  large.  It  is  possible  the  Governour  has  not  been 
informed,  that  one  of  these  Persons  is  a Woman  who 
murther’d  her  own  Child,  another  of  them  a Woman 
who  poyson’d  her  Husband:  the  keeping  of  them  so 
long  has  been  a very  great  charge,  and  how  far  its  a 
Reflection  on  the  Publick  Administration,  to  suffer  such 
Wretches  to  pass  with  impunity,  we  dare  not  say. 
But  sure  the  Blood  of  those  Innocents  crys  aloud  for 
Vengeance,  and  just  Heaven  will  not  fail  to  pour  it 
down  upon  our  already  miserable  Country,  if  they  are 
not  made  to  suffer  according  to  their  demerits. — 

2d,y  We  think  it  a great  hardship  that  persons 
accused  for  any  Crime,  should  be  obliged  to  pay  Court 
Fees,  notwithstanding  the  Grand  Jury  have  not  found 
the  Bill  against  them:  They  are  men  generally  chosen 

out  of  the  Neighborhood,  and  should  be  the  most  sub- 
stantial Inhabitants,  who  cannot  well  be  supposed  to 
be  ignorant  of  the  Character  of  the  Person  accused,  nor 
to  want  as  good  Information  as  may  be  had;  when 
therefore  they  do  not  find  the  Bill,  its  very  reasonable 
to  suppose  the  accused  Person  innocent,  and  conse- 
quently no  Fees  due  from  him.  We  pray  therefore 
that  the  Governour  may  give  his  assent  to  an  Act  of 
Assembly,  to  prevent  the  like  for  the  future,  otherwise 
no  persons  can  be  safe  from  the  Practices  of  designing- 
men,  or  the  wicked  effects  of  a vindictive  Temper. 

3d,y  The  only  Office  for  Probate  of  Wills  being  in 
Burlington,  it  must  be  very  expensive  and  inconve- 
nient for  Persons,  who  live  remote,  especially  for  the 
whole  Eastern  Division.  We  therefore  pray  the  Gov- 
ernour to  assent  to  an  Act  to  settle  such  an  Office  in 
^very  County  or  at  least  in  each  Division  of  this  Prov- 
ince, and  that  the  Officers  may  be  men  of  Good  Estates 
and  known  Integrity  in  the  said  County  or  Division. 

4th1  y-  That  Secretary’s  Office  is  not  also  kept  at  Am- 


176 


LORD  CORNBURY'S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


boy,  but  that  all  the  Eastern  Division  are  forced  to 
come  to  Burlington,  that  have  any  business  at  the  said 
Office,  is  a Grievance  which  we  hope  the  Governour 
will  take  care  to  redress,  it  seeming  inconsistent  with 
the  present  Constitution  of  Government  established  by 
the  Queen,  which  doth  not  admit  one  of  the  Divisions 
of  this  Province,  to  enjoy  more  privileges  and  advan- 
tages than  the  other.  We  therefore  intreat  the  Gover- 
nour not  to  take  it  amiss,  that  we  desire  his  assent  to 
an  Act  to  be  past,  to  oblige  the  Secretary  to  keep  his 
Office  at  both  places. 

5thly-  rpke  granting  0f  Patents  to  cart  goods  on  the 
Road  from  Burlington  to  Amboy,  for  a certain  number 
of  years,  and  prohibiting  others,  we  think  to  be  a great 
grievance,  that  it  is  contrary  to  the  Statute,  21.  Ja.  1. 
ch.  3.  against  Monopolies,  and  being  so,  we  doubt  not 
will  easily  induce  the  Governour  to  assent  to  an  Act, 
to  prevent  all  such  grants  for  the  future,  they  being 
destructive  of  that  Freedom,  which  Trade  and  Com- 
merce ought  to  have. 

6th1  y-  Establishing  Fees  by  any  other  Power  or  Au- 
thority then  by  the  Governour,  Councill,  and  Repre- 
sentatives met  in  General  Assembly,  we  take  it  to  be  a 
great  grievance,  directly  repugnant  to  Magna  Charta, 
and  contrary  to  the  Queens  express  directions  in  the 
Governours  Instructions  which  says,  You  are  to  take 
care,  that  no  Man’s  Life,  Member,  Free -hold  or  Goods, 
be  taken  away  or  harmed  in  our  Province  under  your 
Government,  otherwise  then  by  established  and  known 
Laws,  not  repugnant  to,  but  as  much  as  may  be  agreea- 
ble to  the  Laws  of  England.  We  therefore  pray  that 
the  Governour  will  assent  to  an  Act  to  be  passed  to 
settle  Fees,  without  which  we  think  no  more  can  be 
legally  demanded,  than  the  Persons  concerned  by  agree- 
ment oblige  themselves  to  pay. 

7,hly-  ^he  Grovernours  putting  the  former  publick 
Records  of  the  Eastern  Division  of  this  Province  into 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  177 

the  hands  of  Peter  Sonmans,  the  pretended  Agent  of 
the  Proprietors,  one  that  doth  not  reside  in  the  Prov- 
ince, nor  has  not  given  security  for  the  well  and  true 
keeping  of  them,  as  is  by  the  Queen  directed,  and 
keeps  them  so  that  Her  Majestys  Subjects  cannot  have 
recourse  to  them,  and  their  being  carried  out  of  the 
said  Division,  is  a great  and  crying  grievance;  they 
are  the  only  Evidences,  that  one  half  of  this  Province 
has  to  prove  the  Titles  of  their  Estates;  and  this  House 
is  humbly  of  opinion,  that  they  ought  to  be  so  kept, 
that  Persons  may  have  recource  to  them,  and  in  the 
hands  of  such  of  whose  Fidelity  there  is  no  reason  to 
doubt.  This  being  a thing  so  reasonable,  encourages 
us  to  Request  the  Governour  to  assent  to  an  Act  to  be 
passed,  to  put  them  in  proper  hands  for  the  future, 
that  the  Country  may  not  be  under  the  same  disap- 
pointments they  now  are. 

These,  Governour,  are  some  of  the  Grievances  this 
Province  complains  of,  and  which  their  Representatives 
desire  may  be  redrest,  but  there  are  others  of  an  higher 
nature,  and  attended  with  worse  consequences;  They 
cannot  be  just  to  the  Governour,  themselves,  or  their 
Country,  should  they  conceal  them.  We  did  expect 
when  the  Government  of  the  Jerseys  was  surrendered, 
to  feell  the  benign  influences  of  the  Queens  mild  Gov- 
ernment, under  Her  more  immediate  administration, 
and  to  be  protected  in  the  full  injoyment  of  our  Liber- 
ties and  properties,  the  last  of  which  we  thought  our- 
selves something  more  secure  in,  then  some  of  the 
neighbouring  Plantations,  and  had  an  intire  depend- 
ance,  that  Her  Majesties  Royal  Bounty  and  Goodness 
would  never  be  wanting  to  make  us  easy  and  happy, 
even  beyond  our  Wishes. 

IPs  our  misfortune  that  we  must  say,  the  success 
has  not  answered  the  Expectation,  and  the  Queens 
Subjects  here  have  felt  the  Reverse  of  what  they  had 
most  reason  to  hope.  That  greatest  and  best  of  Princes, 
12 


LORD  CORNBUBYS  ADMINISTRATION. 


[i:ot 


is.  without  peradventure,  ignorant  of  our  Pressures, 
or  we  had  long  since  had  Relief:  She  is  too  good  to 
continue  even  the  deserved  sufferings  of  the  Miserable, 
and  has  more  of  Heaven  in  Her  than  not  to  hear  the 
Cry  of  those  that  groan  under  Oppression,  and  the 
unkind  effects  of  mistaken  Power,  to  whom  we  owe 
oiu*  Miseries;  and  what  they  are.  the  sequal  shews. 

In  the  First  place,  the  Governour  has  prohibited  the 
Proprietors  Agents,  commonly  called  the  Council  of 
Proprietors . from  granting  any  Warrant  for  taking  up 
of  Lands  in  the  Western  Division  of  this  Province. 
We  cannot  see  by  what  Law  or  Reason,  any  mans 
Property  can  be  disposed  of  by  the  Govemour,  without 
his  consent.  The  Proprietors  when  they  surrendered 
the  Government,  did  not  part  with  their  Soil,  and  may 
manage  it  as  they  think  fit,  and  are  not  to  take  direc- 
tions from  any  Person  whatsoever,  how  and  when  to 
do  it.  If  any  Person  concerned  is  agrieved.  the  Laws 
are  open,  by  which  disputes  in  Property  are  decided, 
and  he.  doubtless,  will  not  be  left  remedyless.  We  are 
very  sorry  the  Governour  gives  us  occasion  to  say,  it 
is  a great  Incroachment  on  the  Proprietors  Properties: 
but  we  are  not  surprised  at  it  when  a greater  Incroach- 
ment on  our  Liberties  led  the  way  to  it,  and  that  was 
the  Goveraours  refusing  to  swear  or  attest,  three 
Members  of  the  last  Assembly,  upon  the  groundless 
suggestion  of  Thomas  Revel  and  Daniel  Leeds,  two 
Members  of  the  Queens  Council,  by  which  means  they 
were  kept  out  of  the  Assembly.  We  are  too  sensibly 
toucht  with  that  procedure,  not  to  know  what  must  be 
the  una voidable  consequences  of  a Goveraours  refusing 
to  swear,  which  of  the  members  of  an  Assembly  he 
thinks  fit,  but  to  take  upon  himself  the  Power  of 
judging  of  the  Qualifications  of  Assembly  Men,  and  to 
keep  them  out  of  the  House,  as  the  Govemour  did  the 
aforesaid  three  Members,  nigh  eleven  Months,  till  he 
was  satisfied  in  that  point,  after  the  House  had 


LORD  CORXBURY’s  ADMIXISTRATION. 


179 


1707 


declared  them  Qualified,  is  so  great  a Violation  of  the 
Liberties  of  the  People,  so  great  a Breach  of  the  Privi- 
ledges  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  so  much  an 
assuming  to  himself  a Negative  Voice  to  the  Freehold- 
ers Election  of  their  Representatives,  that  the  Gov- 
ernour  is  intreated  to  pardon  us  if  this  is  a different 
Treatment  from  what  he  expected:  It  is  not  the  effects 
of  passionate  Heats,  or  the  Transports  of  Vindictive 
Tempers,  but  the  serious  Resentments  of  a House  of 
Representatives,  for  a notorious  Violation  of  the  Liber- 
ties of  the  People,  to  whom  they  could  not  be  just,  nor 
answer  the  truth  reposed  in  them,  should  they  decline 
letting  the  Governour  know,  they  are  extreamly  dis- 
satisfied at  so  unkind  a Treatment,  especially  when  its 
Causes  and  Effects  conspire  to  render  it  so  Disagreeable. 

It  is  notoriously  known,  that  many  considerable 
Sums  of  Mony  have  been  raised  to  procure  the  Disso- 
lution of  the  first  Assembly,  to  get  clear  of  the  Proprie- 
tors Quit  Rents,  and  to  obtain  such  officers  as  the 
Contributors  should  approve  of. 

This  House  has  great  reason  to  believe,  the  Money  so 
gathered  was  given  to  Lord  Cornbury,  and  did  Induce 
him  to  Dissolve  the  then  Assembly,  and  by  his  own 
Authority  keep  three  Members  out  of  the  next 
Assembly,  and  put  so  many  mean  and  mercenary 
Men  into  Office,  by  which  corrupt  Practice,  Men  of  the 
best  Estates  are  severely  harassed;  Her  Majestys  Good 
Subjects  in  this  Province  so  Impoverished,  that  they 
are  not  able  to  give  that  Support  to  her  Ma  jest  yes 
Government  as  is  desired,  or  as  they  would  otherwise 
be  inclined  to  do.  And  we  cannot  but  be  very  uneasy 
when  we  find  by  these  new  methods  of  Government 
our  Liberties  and  Properties  so  much  shaken,  that  no 
Man  can  say  he  is  Master  of  either,  but  holds  them  as 
Tenant  by  Curtesie,  and  at  Will,  and  may  be  stript  of 
them  at  Pleasure.  Liberty  is  too  valuable  a thing  to 
be  easily  parted  with,  and  when  such  mean  induce- 


ISO 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[170? 


merits  procure  such  Violent  Endeavours  to  tear  it  from 
us.  We  must  take  leave  to  say,  They  have  neither 
Heads,  Hearts  or  Souls,  that  are  not  moveil  with  the 
Miseries  of  their  Country,  and  are  not  forward  with 
their  utmost  Power  lawfully  to  Redress  them. 

We  conclude,  by  advising  the  Governour  what  it  is 
that  principally  engages  the  Affections  of  a People, 
and  he  will  find  no  other  Artifice  needful,  then  to  let 
them  be  unmolested  in  the  enjoyment  of  what  belongs 
to  them  of  Right;  and  a wise  Man  that  despises  not 
his  own  happiness,  will  earnestly  labour  to  regain  their 
love. 

By  order  of  the  House, 


His  Excellency’s  Answer  to  the  said  Remon- 
strance, Given  to  the  said  Assembly  at 
Burhngton,  on  Munday  the  12th  day  of 
said  May,  1707. 

Gentlemen; 

On  Thursday  last  I receiv'd  a Paper  from  you  which 
you  call  a Remonstrance.  I then  told  you  it  was  of 
an  extraordinary  nature,  and  contain'd  many  particu- 
lars, which  tho’  they  lay  open  enough  to  receive  an 
immediate  Answer,  yet  because  I would  not  put  it  in 
your  power  to  say,  I had  given  you  a rash  inconsider- 
ate Answer,  I would  make  no  return  to  it  till  the 
Saturday  following,  at  which  time  I sent  you  word  by 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURr’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


181 


the  Secretary  that  I would  not  expect  your  attendance 
till  this  day. 

I shall  not  take  notice  of  any  thing  in  your  Pre- 
amble, but  the  two  last  Clauses  of  it;  In  the  first  of 
which  you  say,  “ That  you  have  reason  to  think  that 
“ some  of  your  Sufferings  are  owing  to  the  Governours 
“long  absence  from  this  Province,  which  makes  it 
“ very  difficult  to  apply  to  him  in  some  cases  that  may 
“ need  a present  help. 

This  is  so  far  from  being  true,  that  besides  my  being 
in  this  Province  twice  every  year,  and  have  never 
staid  less  than  a Month,  sometimes  six  weeks  or  more, 
the  Post  goes  every  week  to  New  York,  by  which  I 
may  easily  be  informed  of  any  emergency;  moreover, 
the  Lieut  Governour,  Coll  Ingoldsby,  resides  constantly 
in  this  Province,  and  would  certainly  have  done  right 
to  any  persons  who  would  have  complained  to  him; 
which  makes  this  allegation  appear  very  frivolous. 

In  the  next  Clause  you  say,  “ It  were  to  be  wished. 
“ that  the  affairs  of  New-York  would  admit  the  Gov- 
“ ernour  oftener  to  attend  those  of  New- Jersey. 

The  affairs  of  New-York  have  never  hindered  the 
Governour  from  attending  those  of  New-Jersey  when 
ever  it  has  been  requisite  And  I may  safely  say,  that 
I don’t  know  of  any  Grievance  this  Province  labours 
under,  except  it  be  the  having  a certain  number  of 
People  in  it,  who  will  never  be  faithful  to,  nor  live 
quietly  under  any  Government,  nor  suffer  their  neigh- 
bours to  enjoy  any  peace,  quiet  or  happiness,  if  they 
can  help  it,  Now  I begin  with  your  Articles. 

1st.  Two  Women  have  been  condemned  for  Murder 
and  have  not  been  executed,  there  having  appeared 
most  notorious  Malice  and  Revenge  in  some  People 
who  were  zealous  in  those  Prosecutions.  The  Queen 
is  the  fountain  of  Honour,  Justice  and  Mercy,  and  as 
she  is  so,  she  may,  when  she  pleases,  exert  her  Mercy 
in  either  reprieving  or  pardoning  any  Criminal,  that 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


1S-2 


[1707 


Power  of  Pardoning  & Reprieving,  after  Condemna- 
tion, the  Subjects  of  this  Province,  her  Majesty  has 
been  pleased  to  entrust  me  with,  & I am  in  no  wise 
accountable  to  any  person  or  number  of  persons  what- 
soever, for  what  I do  in  these  matters,  except  to  the 
Queens  Majesty  alone. 

As  for  what  you  say  with  relation  to  the  apprehen- 
sions you  have,  that  just  Heaven  will  not  fail  to 
pour  down  Vengeance  upon  your  already  miserable 
Country,  if  these  Criminals  are  not  made  to  suffer  ac- 
cording to  their  demerits 

I am  of  opinion,  that  nothing  has  hindered  the  Ven- 
geance of  just  Heaven  from  falling  on  this  Province 
long  ago,  but  the  infinite  Mercy,  Goodness,  Long- 
suffering  and  Forbearance  of  Almighty  God,  who  has 
been  abundantly  provoked  by  the  repeated  crying  sins 
of  a perverse  Generation  among  us,  and  more  espe- 
cially by  the  dangerous  and  abominable  Doctrines,  and 
the  wicked  Lives  and  Practices  of  a number  of  People, 
some  of  whom  under  the  pretended  Name  of  Chris- 
tians, have  dared  to  deny  the  very  essence  and  being 
of  the  sa  viour  of  the  World. 

2dIy.  It  is  a strange  thing  that  such  an  Assembly  of 
Men  as  the  Representatives  of  the  People  of  the  Prov- 
ince are,  or  ought  to  be,  should  complain  of  any  thing 
under  the  name  of  Hardship,  before  they  had  informed 
themselves  whether  the  thing  they  had  a mind  to 
complain  of,  were  really  a hardship  or  not.  This  is 
plainly  your  case  at  this  time;  for  if  you  had  asked 
any  man  that  knows  any  Practice  of  the  Law  in 
England,  you  would  have  found,  that  if  any  Proceed- 
ings have  been  carried  on  against  any  Persons  sup- 
posed to  be  guilty,  they  have  always  paid  the  Court 
Fees,  notwithstanding  the  grand  Jury  have  not  found 
the  Bill.  This  is  so  known  a Practice,  that  it  is  not  to 
be  disputed;  but  when  men  will  intermeddle  with,  or 
pretend  to  things  which  they  neither  know  nor  under- 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  183 

stand,  they  cannot  fail  of  misguiding  themselves,  and 
mis-leading  those  who  have  a mind  to  be  guided  by 
them. 

Indeed,  if  Juries  in  this  Country  were  what  they 
ought  to  be,  the  supposition  might  be  in  some  measure 
allowed,  but  we  find  by  woful  experience,  that  there 
are  many  men  who  have  been  admitted  to  serve  upon 
Grand  and  Petty  Juries,  who  have  convinced  the 
world  that  they  have  no  regard  for  the  Oathes  they 
take,  and  especially  a sort  of  People,  who  under  pre- 
tence of  Conscience,  refuse  to  take  an  Oath,  and  yet 
many  of  them  under  the  cloak  of  a very  solemn  Affirm- 
ation, dare  commit  the  greatest  Enormities,  especially 
if  it  be  to  serve  a Friend,  as  they  call  him;  and  these 
are  the  designing  Men  and  the  vindictive  Tempers, 
of  which  all  the  Queens  good  Subjects  ought  to  be- 
ware, and  be  protected  from;  And  these  are  the  crying 
sins  which  will  undoubtedly  drawdown  the  Vengeance 
of  just  Heaven  upon  this  Province  and  People,  if  not 
timely  and  seriously  repented  of. 

3dly.  If  I should  persuade  my  self  to  wonder  at  any 
of  the  Enormities  contained  in  this  Remonstrance  (and 
which  I would  do,  if  it  came  from  any  other  men)  it 
should  be  at  this,  because  no  reasonable  man  can  easi- 
ly perswade  himself  to  believe,  that  a number  of  men 
chosen  by  their  Country  to  represent  them,  would 
presume  to  complain  of  a thing  as  a Grievance,  when 
the  thing  complained  of,  is,  in  fact,  not  true;  for  the 
Office  of  Probate  of  Wills,  is  where-ever  the  Govern- 
our  is,  and  consequently  not  at  Burlington  only.  Ever 
since  the  Queen  has  done  me  the  honour  to  entrust  me 
with  the  Government  of  this  Province,  I have  never 
failed  of  being  in  the  Province  twice  every  year,  once 
at  Burlington  and  once  at  Amboy,  except  the  last 
year,  that  I had  the  unspeakable  misfortune  of  loosing 
a Wife  whom  I loved  as  much  as  my  own  Soul,  after 
a very  long  tedious  Sickness,  during  which,  I am  per- 


1,0 RD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


184 


[1707 


swaded,  no  reasonable  man  could  expect  I would  leave 
her  for  any  time;  and  yet,  notwithstanding  that,  T 
was  twice  at  Amboy  last  year,  where  any  body,  that 
had  a Will  to  prove,  might  have  had  it  done,  if  they 
pleased;  besides  my  being  twice  every  year  in  the 
Province,  considering  the  remoteness  of  Cape- May 
County,  and  the  County  of  Salem,  I did  appoint  a 
Surrogate  at  Burlington,  before  whom  any  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  either  Division,  might  have  had  their 
Wills  proved.  I did  not  think  it  necessary  to  appoint 
one  in  the  Eastern  Division,  because  the  Inhabitants  of 
that  Division,  who  are  most  remote  from  New- York, 
are  within  a very  easie  days  Journey  of  my  Surrogate 
at  Burlington,  and  much  the  major  part  of  the  People 
of  that  Division,  are  within  a very  small  days  Journey 
of  New- York,  where  their  private  affairs  daily  calls 
many  of  them,  and  where  any  of  them  may  have  their 
Wills  proved,  without  any  injury  or  incroachment 
upon  their  Properties,  Rights  or  Priviledges.  This  is 
so  certain  a truth,  that  I am  perswaded  all  judicious 
and  impartial  men  will  look  upon  this  Complaint  to 
be  malicious,  scandalous  and  frivelous,  contrived  only 
to  amuse  poor  ignorant  People  with  notions  of  Griev- 
ances, when,  in  truth,  there  is  no  manner  of  cause  of 
Complaint.  Besides,  what  you  desire  Is  a direct  Inva- 
sion of  the  Queens  Prerogative;  for  it  belongs  to  her 
Majesty  alone  to  appoint  who  shall  be  Probate  of 
Wills,  and  grant  Letters  of  Administration,  and  that 
Power  the  Queen  has  been  pleased  to  vest  in  the  Gov- 
ernour;  and  I am  sure  that  I will  never  so  far  betray 
the  trust  her  Majesty  has  honoured  me  with,  as  to 
sacrifice  her  Prerogative  Royal  to  the  humours  of  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever.  But  of  all  the  People 
in  the  World,  the  Quakers  ought  to  be  the  last  to  com- 
plain of  the  hardships  of  travelling  a few-  Miles  upon 
such  an  occasion,  who  never  repine  at  the  trouble  and 
charges  of  travelling  several  hundreds  of  Miles  to  a 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  185 

yearly  Meeting,  where  it  is  evidently  known,  that 
nothing  was  ever  done  for  the  good  of  the  Country, 
but  on  the  contrary,  continual  Contrivances  are  carried 
on  for  the  undermining  the  Government  both  in 
Church  and  State. 


His  Excellency’s  Answer. 

4th1  y.  You  have  had  as  little  regard  to  the  truth  of 
matters  of  fact  in  this  Complaint,  as  in  some  of  the 
rest;  for  it  is  certain  that  the  Secretary’s  Office  is  kept 
at  Amboy  as  well  as  at  Burlington,  as  far  as  the  na- 
ture of  the  thing  requires,  and  it  can  admit  of ; for  the 
Records  of  the  Eastern  Division  are  kept  in  the  eastern 
Division,  or  at  least  so  many  of  them  as  the  Agent  for 
the  Proprietors  of  that  Division,  could  hitherto  re- 
cover from  one  Thomas  Gordon,  into  whose  hands 
they  were  put  in  the  time  of  the  Proprietary  Govern- 
ment, and  who  has  embezzled  several  of  them,  for 
which  he  must  be  answerable.  There  is  a Supream 
Court  held  once  every  year  at  Amboy,  there  is  no  more 
at  Burlington;  so  that  one  Division  does  not  enjoy 
more  Priviledges  and  Advantages  than  the  other:  And 
you  have  no  more  reason  to  desire  a Secretary’s  Office 
to  be  settled  at  Amboy,  than  the  People  of  the  County 
of  Cumberland  would  have  to  desire  a Secretary  of 
State’s  Office  to  be  settled  in  their  County  because  it 
is  a great  way  for  them  to  travel  to  London,  when 
they  have  any  business  in  the  Secretary’s  Office.  The 
thing  is  inconsistent  in  it  self  to  have  two  Secretary’s 
Offices  in  the  same  Province,  and  consequently  un- 
reasonable, and  I am  pretty  well  satisfied,  without 
President;  besides,  I don’t  know'  any  body  that  can 
claim  the  right  or  power  of  appointing  a Secretary  in 
this  Province,  but  the  Queen,  and  she  has  been  pleased 
to  appoint  one  under  the  great  Seal  of  England,  and 


186 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


fl?0? 


her  Majesty  is  pleased  to  think  one  sufficient,  as  un- 
doubtedly it  is;  but  if  you  had  thought,  that  another 
had  been  necessary,  it  would  have  been  much  more 
modest  to  have  acquainted  me  with  it,  that  I might 
have  humbly  represented  it  to  her  Majesty,  rather 
than  to  have  Remonstrated  that  as  a Grievance,  which 
is  done  in  pursuance  of  the  Queens  Commands;  but 
this  is  of  the  same  nature  with  the  rest  of  your  Com- 
plaints, contriv'd  on  purpose  to  amuse  poor  ignorant 
People  with  a notion  of  Grievances,  when,  in  truth, 
there  is  not  the  least  colour  of  Cause  of  Complaint. 

5th1  y.  I could  wish,  (since  you  had  a mind  to  colour 
this  Complaint  with  the  Authority  of  an  Act  of  Par- 
liament in  England)  that  you  had  advised  with  some 
Lawyer,  to  know  whether  this  could  be  any  way 
brought  under  that  Statute,  or  can  by  any  Construc- 
tion in  the  world  be  call'd  a Monopoly;  I am  apt  to 
believe,  those  Gentlemen  would  have  told  you,  it  could 
not.  Nothing  can  properly  be  calTd  a Monopoly,  but 
where  a man  engrosses  a Commodity  into  his  own 
hands,  and  imposes  what  unreasonable  Prices  he 
pleases  upon  that  Commodity;  or  where  a man  is  suf- 
fered to  enjoy  any  Trade  or  Occupation,  exclusive  of 
others,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Publick.  or  particularly 
to  the  hindering  or  burthening  of  Trade.  The  thing 
now  complained  of  is  so  far  from  being  of  that  nature, 
that  it  is  directly  contrary;  for  by  the  Patent  now 
complained  of,  the  Subjects  of  this  Province  have  the 
conveniency  of  sending  such  Quantities  of  Goods  to 
and  from  Burlington  and  Amboy,  as  their  private  oc- 
casions, or  the  nature  of  their  Trade  may  require,  at 
reasonable  and  certain  Rates,  and  at  certain  Times, 
which  they  could  never  do  before;  but  before  the  set- 
tling of  this  Waggion,  if  any  Person  had  occasion  to 
send  any  Goods  to  or  from  either  of  these  Places  they 
were  forced  to  hire  a Waggion,  though  perhaps  they 
had  not  the  tenth  part  of  a Load,  and  were  forced  to 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  187 

pay  such  Rates  as  the  owner  of  the  Waggion  thought 
fit  to  impose  upon  them;  whereas  at  present  every- 
body is  sure  once  a Fortnight  to  have  an  opportunity 
to  send  any  quantity  of  Goods,  great  or  small,  at  rea- 
sonable Rates,  without  being  in  danger  of  being  im- 
posed upon  at  the  will  of  the  owner  of  the  Waggion. 
And  the  settling  of  this  Waggion  is  so  far  from  being 
a Grievance,  or  a Monopoly,  that  by  this  means,  and 
by  no  other,  a Trade  has  been  carried  on  between 
Philadelphia,  Burlington,  Amboy  and  New- York, 
which  was  never  known  before,  and  in  all  probability 
would  never  have  been,  had  it  not  been  for  this  certain 
convenient  way  of  sending  such  quantities  of  Goods, 
as  People  pleased,  from  place  to  place.  And  in  all  the 
parts  of  Europe,  the  having  publick  Carriages  for 
Goods,  has  always  been  esteemed  of  absolute  necessity, 
and  the  want  of  them  has  been  looked  upon  as  a hard- 
ship. But  it  seems  those  things  which  in  the  wisest 
and  best  Governments  in  Europe  have  not  only  been 
thought  convenient,  but  esteemed  of  absolute  neces- 
sity, are  found  out  by  some  of  our  wiser  People  here, 
to  be  Grievancies  and  Monopolies  This  being  un- 
doubtedly true,  it  is  plain,  the  Patent  complained  of 
cannot  come  within  the  Statute  of  the  21  Ja.  1 Cap.  3. 
This,  I believe,  will  he  sufficient  to  convince  all  rea 
sonable  men,  how  frivolous  and  unreasonable  this 
Complaint  is.  I shall  observe,  that  when  I was  first 
applyed  to  for  a Patent  for  the  allowing  this  Waggion, 
which  was  by  one  Dell  (a  man,  who  in  Coll.  Hamilton’s 
time,  was  permitted  to  drive  a Waggion  for  the  carry- 
ing of  Goods,  though  under  no  regulation,  either  with 
respect  to  times  of  going,  or  Prices  for  carrying  goods, 
and  then  there  was  no  Monopoly)  before  I would 
grant  it,  I did  acquaint  the  Council  with  it,  and  de- 
sired them  to  let  me  know"  if  they  apprehended  any 
inconveniency  in  granting  such  a Patent:  Those  Gen- 
tlemen were  all  of  opinion,  there  could  be  no  incon- 


L88  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [170? 

veniency  in  it,  but  rather  a great  conveniency;  and 
indeed  experience  has  proved  that  Opinion  to  be  true; 
Nay,  M.r  Lewis  Morris  himself,  the  chief  promoter  of 
these  unreasonable  and  frivolous  Complaints  at  this 
time,  who  had  the  honour  then  to  be  one  of  her  Maj- 
esties Council,  expressed  himself  very  fully  to  that 
purpose;  indeed,  if  that  Gentleman  had  ever  been 
consistent  with  himself  in  any  two  Actions  of  his 
Life,  I should  wonder  how  he  could  so  soon  alter  his 
Opinion  in  a case  of  that  nature;  but  his  behaviour  at 
all  times  having  fully  convinced  the  world,  that  he 
never  was  so,  makes  me  cease  wondering. 


His  Excellency’s  Answer. 

6thly.  This  Clause  of  your  Remonstrance  is,  indeed 
of  a more  extravagant  Nature  than  the  former;  for 
you  presume  to  call  that  a great  Grievance,  and  affirm 
it  to  be  directly  repugnant  to  Magna  Charta,  and  con- 
trary to  the  Queens  express  Directions  in  the  Gover- 
noui’s  Instructions,  which  is  most  certainly  exactly 
pursuant  to,  and  in  obedience  of  the  express  words 
contained  in  the  Queens  Instructions  to  the  Governour. 
So  that  you  make  the  Governour’s  faithful  obedience 
to  the  Instructions  the  Queen  has  honoured  him  with, 
to  be  a great  Grievance;  which  is  no  less  than  accusing 
her  most  sacred  Majesty,  the  best  of  Queens,  of  com- 
manding her  Governour  to  do  things  which  in  them- 
selves are  great  Grievances.  How  grateful  a return 
this  is  to  her  Majesty,  for  the  repeated  favours  she 
has  been  pleased  to  shew  to  this  Province  and  People, 
let  the  world  judge.  That  Clause  of  my  Instructions 
which  you  recite  in  this  Article,  has  no  manner  of 
relation  to  Fees.  Indeed,  there  is  another  Clause  in 
my  Instructions,  which  directs  how,  and  by  whom  all 
Fees  shall  be  settled,  and  the  Queens  Commands  have 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


189 


been  observed.  The  words  of  the  Clause  are  these, 
“ And  you  are,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  said 
“Council,  to  take  special  care  to  Regulate  all  salaries 
“ and  Fees  belonging  to  places,  or  paid  upon  Emergen- 
“ cies,  that  they  be  within  the  bounds  of  Moderation, 
“ and  that  no  Exaction  be  made  on  any  occasion  what- 
soever; as  also,  that  Tables  of  all  Fees  be  publickly 
“ hung  up  in  all  places  where  such  Fees  are  to  be  paid. 
“ And  you  are  to  transmit  Copies  of  all  such  Tables  of 
“ Fees  to  Us,  and  to  our  Commissioners  for  Trade  and 
“Plantations,  as  aforesaid.  And  I challenge  every 
one  of  you,  and  all  Mankind,  to  shew  how,  where  and 
when  any  Mans  Life,  member,  Free-hold  or  Goods 
have  been  taken  away  or  harmed  in  this  Province 
since  it  came  under  her  Majesties  Government,  other- 
wise than  by  established  and  known  Laws,  not  repug- 
nant to,  but  as  much  as  may  be,  agreeable  to  the  Laws 
of  England. 


His  Excellency’s  Answer. 

7thly.  When  I first  read  this  Clause  I could  not 
imagine  what  it  was  put  in  for,  unless  it  were  on 
purpose  to  arraign  the  Queens  express  Commands  to 
me.  First,  Mr.  Sonmans  is  not  the  pretended  Agent, 
but  is  lawfully  constituted  Agent  for  the  Proprietors 
of  the  Eastern  Division  of  this  Province  and  has  quali- 
fied himself  according  to  the  Queens  Instructions  to 
me  and  he  does  reside  the  greatest  part  of  his  time  in 
this  Province  The  Records  are  not  carried  out  of  the 
Eastern  Division  unless  it  be  those  which  Tho.  Gordon 
has  imbezled;  but  those  that  came  to  the  hands  of  MT 
Sonmans  are  kept  at  Amboy  where  any  body  may 
have  recourse  to  them,  that  will  desire,  at  any  season- 
able hour;  and  the  Country  is  not  under  any  disap- 
pointment upon  that  account:  Besides,  the  Records  of 


190 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


the  Eastern  Division  were  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
Proprietors  Agent  by  an  Order  from  England,  upon  a 
Complaint  made  in  England,  that  the  Records  were 
not  in  the  hands  of  the  Proprietors  Agents. 

This  is  certainly  one  of  the  boldest  Assertions  that 
ever  was  made,  especially  when  there  appears  no 
manner  of  Proof  to  make  it  out.  When  I read  these 
two  Clauses;  for  there  are  two  before  you  come  to 
enumerate  these  Grievances  of  an  higher  Nature,  and 
attended  with  worse  Consequences,  I expected  to  have 
found  my  self,  or  some  other  Persons  intrusted  with 
me  in  the  Administration  of  the  Government  over  her 
Majesties  Subjects  in  this  Province,  not  only  accused, 
but  made  plainly  appear  by  undeniable  manifest 
Proofs,  beyond  the  possibility  of  a Contradiction,  to  be 
guilty  of  the  most  enormous  Crimes.  Who  can 
imagine,  when  such  a Body  of  Men,  as  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  a Province  venture  to  say,  “That  they 
“did  expect  when  the  Government  of  the  Jerseys  was 
“surrendered,  to  feel  the  Influences  of  the  Queens 
“mild  Government  under  her  more  immediate 
“Administration,  and  to  be  protected  in  the  full 
“ Enjoyment  of  their  Liberties  and  Properties,  the  last 
“of  which  they  thought  themselves  something  more 
“ secure  in,  than  some  of  the  Neighbouring  Planta- 
“ tions,  and  had  an  entire  dependence,  that  her  Majes- 
ties Royal  Bounty  and  Goodness  would  never  be 
“ wanting  to  make  them  easie  and  happy,  even  beyond 
“their  wishes:  Its  their  misfortune  that  they  must 
“ say,  The  Success  has  not  answered  the  Expectation, 
“ and  the  Queens  Subjects  here  have  felt  the  Reverse 
“ of  what  they  had  most  reason  to  hope.  That  great- 
“ est  and  best  of  Princes  is,  without  all  perad venture, 
“ ignorant  of  their  Pressures,  or  they  had  long  since 
“had  a Relief;  She  is  too  good  to  continue  even  the 
“deserved  Sufferings  of  the  Miserable,  and  has  more 
‘ ‘ of  Heaven  in  Her  than  not  to  hear  the  Cry  of  those 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  191 

“that  groan  under  Oppression,  and  the  unkind  effects 
“of  mistaken  power,  to  whom  they  owe  their  Mis- 
“ eries.  Who  would  not,  I say,  after  such  Assertions, 
expect  to  see  the  Governour  proved  guilty  either  of 
Treason  or  betraying  the  Trust  reposed  in  him  by 
depriving  the  Subjects  of  their  Lives,  their  Estates  or 
properties,  or  at  least  denying  them  Justice,  and  per- 
verting the  Laws  to  the  Oppression,  instead  of  admin- 
istering them  for  the  Protection  and  Preservation  of 
the  People  committed  to  his  Charge.  These  or  the  like 
Crimes,  manifestly  proved,  are  the  only  things  that 
can  justifie  Men  in  the  accusing  a Governour  of  Cor- 
rupt Practice,  and  of  shaking  the  Liberties  and  Prop- 
erties of  the  People.  But  if  none  of  these  things  can 
be  proved,  but  on  the  contrary  it  does  appear  plainly, 
that  no  one  Act  of  Severity,  much  less  of  Injustice,  or 
Oppression,  has  been  done,  since  the  Government  of 
this  Province  came  under  the  Queen,  but  that  there 
has  been  an  impartial,  just  and  equal  Administration 
of  Justice  observed  throughout  the  whole  Course  of 
my  Government,  and  that  many  Acts  of  Mercy  have 
been  extended  to  Persons,  who  deserved  to  be  severely 
punished;  then  what  sort  of  Creatures  must  these  bold 
Accusers  appear  to  be  in  the  eyes  of  all  impartial  and 
judicious  Men?  That  these  are  Truths  beyond  Contra- 
diction, and  which  all  the  People  of  this  Province 
know,  I do  Challenge  you,  and  every  of  you  to  prove 
the  contrary.  And  tho’  I know  very  well,  that  there 
are  several  unquiet  Spirits  in  this  Province,  who  will 
never  be  content  to  live  quiet  under  any  Government 
but  their  own,  and  not  long  under  that  neither,  as 
appears  by  their  Methods  of  Proceeding  when  the  Gov- 
ernment was  in  the  hands  of  the  Proprietors,  when 
many  of  these  very  Men  who  are  now  the  Remon- 
strancers,  were  in  Authority,  and  used  the  most  Arbi 
trary  and  Illegal  Methods  of  Proceeding  over  their 
fellow  Subjects,  that  were  ever  heard  of  Yet  I well 


192  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

satisfied,  there  are  very  few  men  in  the  Province, 
except  Samuell  Jenings  and  Lewis  Morris,  Men  known 
to  have  neither  good  Principles  nor  Morals,  who  would 
have  ventured  to  accuse  a Governour  of  such  Crimes, 
without  any  Proof  to  make  good  their  Accusation. 
But  they  are  capable  of  any  thing  but  good. 

But  that  the  unreasonableness  of  these  Complaints 
may  appear  the  Plainer,  let  us  consider  what  these 
Enormities  of  mine  are,  that  have  turn’d  the  benign 
influences  of  the  Queens  mild  Government  into  Oppres- 
sion and  the  unkind  effects  of  mistaken  Power. 


His  Excellency’s  Answer. 

First.  By  the  Instructions  her  most  sacred  Majesty, 
the  Queen,  has  honoured  me  with,  I am  to  allow  of  all 
such  Agents  as  the  general  Proprietors  shall  appoint, 
such  Agents  qualifying  themselves  by  taking  such 
Oaths  as  the  Queen  is  pleased  to  direct,  and  no  others. 
No  Persons,  under  the  Name  of  a Council  of  Proprie- 
tors, have  ever  tendred  themselves  to  take  those 
Oathes,  consequently  they  are  not  capable  of  acting  as 
Agents,  besides,  I say,  these  People  who  call  them- 
selves A Council  of  Proprietors,  are  a parcel  of  People 
pretending  to  act  by  a Power  derived  from  certain 
Persons  who  have  no  power  to  grant.  The  Governor 
has  therefore  done  in  this  case  nothing  but  his  duty, 
in  hindring,  as  far  as  in  him  lay,  that  pretended  Coun- 
cil of  Proprietors  from  acting  illegally,  which  they 
have  long  done,  to  the  great  prejudice  of  her  Majesties 
Subjects.  This  is  a truth  I can’t  doubt  of,  because, 
besides  the  other  reasons  I have  to  satisfie  me  in  that 
point,  you  have  voted  my  putting  the  Records  of  the 
Eastern  Division,  into  the  hands  of  Peter  Sonmans,  to 
be  a Grievance,  tho’  Mr  Sonmans  has  qualified  himself 
long  ago;  so  that  the  Council  of  Proprietors  not  having 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  103 

qualified  themselves  at  all  is  a much  greater  Grievance. 
By  the  Queens  Instructions  to  me,  she  is  pleased  to 
direct,  That  no  person  shall  be  capable  of  being  elected 
a Representative  by  the  Freeholders  of  either  Division 
or  afterwards  sitting  in  General  Assembly,  who  shall 
not  have  One  Thousand  Acres  of  Land  of  an  Estate  of 
Free-hold  in  his  own  right,  within  the  Division  for 
which  he  shall  be  chosen:  Two  Gentlemen  of  the 
Council  informed  me  that  three  Persons,  whose  Names 
they  then  mentioned,  were  not  qualified;  upon  which 
I refused  to  take  their  Attestations  (for  they  were  all 
Quakers)  and  in  so  doing  I did  my  duty.  I recom- 
mended it  to  the  Assembly,  at  that  time,  to  proceed, 
in  the  first  place,  to  enquire  into  that  matter;  but  they 
did  not  think  fit  to  do  it,  till  they  had  sate  about  three 
weeks,  and  then  they  sent  me  a Message  to  desire 
those  three  Members  might  be  sworn,  for  they  were 
qualified.  I sent  them  word,  that  if  they  would  com- 
municate to  me  the  Proofs  which  had  satisfied  them, 
I should  be  ready  to  admit  them;  but  that  they  would 
not  do.  In  some  few  days  the  Assembly  was 
adjourned  to  meet  at  Amboy  where  they  met  at  the 
time  appointed,  and  sent  me  the  same  Message  as  they 
had  done  before;  I sent  them  the  same  Answer;  upon 
winch  they  ordered  the  three  Members  to  produce  to 
me  the  proofs  of  their  Qualifications,  which  having- 
done,  I admitted  them  immediately,  which  I could  not 
do  before  without  breaking  the  Queens  Instructions; 
so  that  it  was  entirely  through  their  own  stubbornness, 
that  they  were  not  admitted  sooner,  and  no  intent  or 
desire  of  mine  to  keep  them  out.  If  I had  had  a mind 
to  have  kept  any  Members  out  of  the  House,  I could 
have  made  Objections  which  they  could  never  have 
answered,  but  such  practices  are  below  me;  &it  is  not 
true  that  I have  made  any  Violation  of  the  Liberties  of 
the  People,  nor  have  1 assumed  to  myself  a negative 
Voice  to  the  Free-holders  election  of  their  Representa- 
13 


194  LORD  CORXBURY'S  ADMINISTKATlOH.  [1707 

lives,  as  this  House  of  Representatives  has  lately  most 
notoriously  done.  But  of  that  more  anon.  Indeed, 
the  treatment  I have  met  with  from  this  house  of 
Representatives  far  different  from  what  I and  all  rea- 
sonable men  expected  from  most  of  them,  thinking 
them  indued  with  Reason  and  common  Justice  to 
Mankind;  but  it  is  not  different  from  what  I expected 
from  Samuell  Jenings  and  Lewis  Morris,  two  men 
notoriously  known  always  to  have  been  Disturbers  of 
the  quiet  and  peace  of  this  Province,  Men  always 
possest  with  passionate  Heats  and  the  transports  of 
most  vindictive  Tempers,  but  never  capable  of  such 
serious  Resentments  as  would  become  a House  of 
Representatives,  if  there  were  any  occasion  given  them 
to  shew  any.  How  they  have  been  able  to  prevail 
with  the  major  part  of  the  House  to  join  with  them  in 
destroying,  as  far  as  in  them  lay.  the  Reputation  of  a 
Gentleman,  who  has  the  honour  to  serve  the  Queen  as 
Governour  of  this  Province,  and  is  so  far  from  deserv- 
ing such  Treatment  from  them,  that  he  has  always 
done  to  the  utmost  of  his  power  for  the  good,  wellfare 
and  prosperity  of  this  Province  and  People,  and  would 
have  done  much  more,  if  the  Assembly  would  have 
put  it  into  his  power,  by  preparing  such  Bills  as  the 
Governour  at  the  beginning  of  every  Sessions  has 
recommended  to  them,  and  the  Condition  of  the  Coun- 
try required;  but  that  they  must  answer  for  to  God 
and  their  own  Consciences,  if  they  can;  and.  perhaps, 
one  day  to  me  too. 

Whether  many  considerable  sums  of  Money  have 
been  raised  or  not,  I know  not : and  if  they  were  raised, 
for  what  intent  or  purpose  they  were  raised,  I know 
not;  hut  this  I know,  that  if  any  Money  was  raised,  it 
was  not  given  to  me,  nor  was  ever  any  Money  offered 
to  me  to  procure  the  Dissolution  of  the  first  Assembly 
or  to  get  clear  of  the  Proprietors  Quit -Rents,  or  to 
obtain  such  Officers  as  the  Contributors  should  approve 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


195 


of,  as  is  falsely  alledged.  The  Reasons  why  I dissolved 
the  first  Assembly  were  evident  to  all  Mankind;  for  it 
was  plain  that  House  never  intended  to  do  anything 
for  the  support  of  the  Queens  Government,  nor  for 
the  good  of  the  Country;  and  indeed  better  could  not 
be  expected  from  an  Assembly  so  corruptly  chosen  as 
that  was;  for  some  of  the  now  Remonstrancers,  and 
some  other  People,  prevailed  with  Thomas  Gordon, 
than  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  to  refuse  a 
Poll,  when  demanded;  and  when  the  Persons  injured 
by  that  Practice,  complained  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, they  had  a day  assigned  them  to  be  heard, 
but  were  limited  to  bring  but  twenty  Witnesses;  the 
People  attended  at  the  day  appointed,  with  the  number 
of  Witnesses  they  were  allowed  to  bring,  but  were 
then  by  that  House  refused  to  be  heard,  not  only  by 
themselves,  but  by  their  Council,  and  their  Witnesses 
refused  to  be  examined,  tho’  at  the  same  time  they 
heard  Thomas  Gordon,  who  was  the  Person  com- 
plained against,  and  did  examine  some  Witnesses  on 
his  behalf;  upon  which  the  Petition  of  the  Complain- 
ants was  dismist;  thereby  supporting  the  illegal  pro- 
ceeding of  the  Sheriff.  This  was  a Violation  of  the 
Rights  of  the  People  with  a Vengeance,  and  a sufficient 
Reason  (if  I had  no  other)  for  the  Dissolving  that  As- 
sembly, that  the  People  might  once  more  have  a free 
Choice  of  their  Representatives.  As  for  getting  clear 
of  the  Proprietors  Quit-Rents,  that  is  such  an  absurdity 
to  mention,  that  no  body  could  be  guilty  of  it  but 
Samuel  Jenings  and  Lewis  Morris;  for  it  is  evident, 
that  at  the  beginning  of  every  Sessions,  I have  recom- 
mended it  to  the  Assembly,  to  prepare  a Bill  or  Bills 
for  settling  the  Rights  of  the  Proprietors;  which,  I 
suppose,  will  be  a full  Answer  to  that  part.  And  as  I 
know  of  no  such  Men  as  Contributors, . so  I can  have 
had  no  such  Application  made  to  me:  I have  not, 
knowingly,  put  any  mean  or  mercenary  Men  into 


106  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

Office;  indeed,  at  my  first  coming  to  the  Government 
of  this  Province,  1 desired  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Coun- 
cil to  recommend  Persons  to  me,  fit  to  put  into  Offices, 
Military  and  Civil;  several  of  them  gave  me  Lists,  and 
among  the  rest  M.r  Lewis  Morris  gave  me  one,  which 
I have  still  by  me,  in  which  indeed,  by  experience,  I 
find  there  are  some  mean  scandalous  men,  but  I can- 
not accuse  any  body  else  of  doing  the  like. 

Thus  much  I thought  my  self  obliged  to  say  in  an- 
swer to  your  Remonstrance,  to  satisfie  the  world  of 
the  falshood  of  your  Allegations,  and  the  unreasona- 
bleness of  your  Complaints.  I have  said  the  less  in 
answer  to  the  scandalous  Reflections  you  have  cast 
upon  me,  because  I don’t  doubt,  but  upon  my  most 
humble  Application  to  her  most  sacred  Majesty,  the 
Queen,  she  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  allow  me  to 
take  such  measures  as  may  be  most  proper  to  procure 
me  ample  satisfaction  for  the  great  and  Extravagant 
Injuries  you  have  done  me. 

As  for  the  Advice  you  conclude  with,  I shall  only 
say,  That  I can  never  answer  the  taking  advice  from 
Men  who  do  not  know  how  to  govern  themselves,  and 
who  have  always  opposed  the  Service  of  the  Queen, 
and  the  Interest  and  good  of  their  Country,  which  are 
inseperable. 

Now,  Gentlemen,  I shall  take  notice  to  you  of  some 
of  your  last  unwarantable  Proceedings  in  this  Assem- 
bly, which  I cannot  pass  by  without  a breach  of  the 
Trust  reposed  in  me  by  her  Majesty;  And,  first,  I shall 
observe,  that  at  the  opening  of  the  Sessions,  I recom- 
mended to  you  the  settling  a Revenue,  and  the 
preparing  several  Bills,  which  I thought  might  be 
useful  for  the  Country;  and  I told  you,  that  if  you 
found  anything  else  necessary  to  be  provided  for 
by  a Law,  you  should  always  find  me  ready  to 
agree  to  anything  that  might  be  reasonable;  but  instead 
of  proceeding  upon  those  things  so  necessary  that  they 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  197 

ought  to  have  imployed  your  first  thoughts,  you  have 
squandered  away  your  time  in  hawking  after  Imagin- 
ary Grievances  for  the  space  of  one  whole  Month, 
without  making  one  step  towards  the  Service  of  the 
Queen  or  the  Country. 

You  have  presumed  to  take  the  Queens  Subjects  into 
the  Custody  of  your  Serjant  at  Arms,  who  are  not 
Members  of  your  House,  which  you  cannot  lawfully 
do,  and  is  a notorious  Violation  of  the  Liberties  of  the 
People. 

You  have  taken  upon  you  to  administer  an  Oath  to 
one  of  your  Members,  and  have  expelled  him  from  the 
House  for  refusing  to  take  an  Oath,  which  you  could 
not  legally  administer  to  him : This  is  most  certainly 
Robbing  that  Member  of  his  Property,  and  a most  no- 
torious assuming  to  yourselves  a Negative  Voice  to 
the  Free-holders  Election  of  their  Representatives;  for 
which  there  can  be  no  President  found. 

You  have  Arbitrarily  taken  upon  you  to  command 
the  High-Sheriff  of  this  Comity  to  discharge  a Pris- 
oner, who  was  in  his  Custody  at  the  Suit  of  one  of  the 
Queens  Subjects,  and  he  has  been  weak  enough  to  do 
it,  for  which  he  lies  lyable  to  be  sued  for  an  escape, 
whenever  the  Gentleman  thinks  fit  to  do  it,  and  from 
which  you  cannot  protect  him.  This  is  a notorious 
violation  of  the  Rights  of  the  Subjects,  and  a manifest 
interruption  of  Justice. 

You  have  taken  upon  you  to  appoint  one  of  your 
Members  to  act  as  Clerk  of  the  Committee  of  the  whole 
House,  which  you  have  no  power  to  do,  and  the  Party 
officiating  is  liable  to  be  prosecuted  for  acting  without 
lawful  Authority,  and  without  being  qualified  to  act. 

These,  Gentlemen,  are  some  of  the  Irregularities  you 
have  been  guilty  of  this  Sessions:  Some  of  them  are 
Incroachments  upon  the  Queens  Perogative  Royal,  the 
rest  are  all  notorious  Infractions  upon  the  Rights,  Lib- 
erties and  Properties  of  the  People,  I was  going  to 


LOKI)  coknbuky’s  administration. 


[1707 


108 


conclude,  with  giving  you  some  wholesom  Advice,  but 
I consider,  that  will  be  but  labour  lost;  and  therefore 
shall  reserve  it  for  Persons,  who,  I hope,  will  make 
the  right  use  of  it. 

FINIS. 


Affidavits  and  Depositions  in  support  of  the  foregoing 
Remonstrance. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  America  and  West  Indies.  VoL  6.J 

A Collection  of  Affidavits,  Depositions  and  Pe- 
titions to  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  to 
support  the  accusations  of  the  said  Assem- 
bly against  Lord  Cornbury’s  Administra- 
tion of  that  Province.  Inclosed  in  Mr. 
Morris’s  9 Feb’ry  170g. 

Joseph  Fitzravdolph  Aged  about  fifty  one  years 
being  sworn  saith  that  some  time  in  or  about  the 
Month  of  March  170f  Richard  Salter  being  at  the 
House  of  Benjan  Hull  in  Piscataway  sent  for  this 
Depon1  about  some  bussiness  on  which  sd  depon*  came 
to  sd  House  and  then  said  Salter  told  sd  depon1  that 
now  was  the  time  to  have  their  Liberties  and  Privi- 
ledges  in  chusing  Assembly  men  and  having  Officers 
appointed  to  the  good  liking  of  the  People  and  to  be 
freed  of  their  Quitrents  if  there  were  a sum  of  money 
raised  to  be  privately  disposed  of  to  that  end  and  that 
the  sd  depon*  having  a great  Deal  of  Land  might  very 
Avell  give  ten  pounds  for  so  good  ends  Others  of  Less 
ability  (naming  several  Neversinks  which  the  depon1 
has  forgot  except  one  of  the  Lawrances)  having  given 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


109 

more  to  which  sd  depon1  answer’d  that  he  sd  depon' 
was  a Poor  man  blit  yet  he  would  give  five  pounds  if 
he  were  sure  to  have  these  things  done  to  which  sd 
Salter  reply’d  that  there  was  no  doubt  to  be  made  of 
having  them  done  by  means  of  which  fair  Promises 
the  depon1  was  prevail’d  upon  to  grant  an  Obligation 
to  Cap1  John  Bowne  for  the  payment  of  five  pounds 
which  was  presently  fill’d  up  in  a blank  Obligation 
severall  of  w1.1  sd  Salter  had  ready  written  by  him. 

Sworn  as  before  Apr.  29th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


William  Lucar  Aged  sixty  seven  years  being  sworn 
saith  that  Mr  Salter  perswaded  him  to  sign  a Bond  for 
forty  pounds  payable  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  which  at 
first  he  the  sd  deponent  refused  by  reason  he  would 
not  tell  him  what  it  was  for  but  said  he  must  ask  no 
questions  and  that  it  was  for  a Publick  good  but  Jose: 
Lyon  Jonas  wood  & Benja  Meaker  promising  the  the 
depon1:  to  pay  ten  pounds  each  Encouraged  him  to  sign 
the  sd  Bond  and  afterwards  being  in  company  wth  Mr 
Salter  and  severall  others  at  the  House  of  Jos.  Meaker 
severall  men  at  that  time  sign’d  Obligations  to  this 
depon4  for  the  sum  of  forty  pounds  upon  which  he 
released  Jonas  Wood  Jos.  Lyon  and  Ben.  Meaker  and 
they  at  that  time  together  with  John  Woodroff 
Benja1"  Ogden  and  Benja™  Lyon  signed  Bonds  for  ten 
pounds  each  payable  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  as  did  also 
John  Tomson  for  Eight  pounds  as  they  inform’d  this 
depon.1  and  this  depon1  further  saith  that  Mr.  Salter 
had  blank  bonds  with  him  for  that  purpose  and  this 
depon1  further  saith  that  this  money  was  not  raised  to 
pay  the  Lawers  but  that  there  was  fifty  pounds  raised 
for  them  to  plead  against  the  Long  Bill  &c  before  this 
and  this  depon1  further  saith  that  he  was  in  hopes  they 
shou’d  be  clear’d  from  paying  Quitrents  by  their 


LORD  CORNBURY's  ADMINISTRATION. 


*200 


fl™ 


raising  this  money  and  that  he  heard  severall  whose 
names  he  cannot  i*emember  say  the  raising  this  money 
was  to  desolve  the  then  Assembly  and  get  new 
Justices  and  this  depoiT  further  saith  he  heard  that 
John  Pike  Oapt  Langstafe  Jos  Fitz  Randolph  John 
Drake  Benjatu  Hull  and  Edmund  Dunham  gave  about 
five  pounds  each  & further  this  Depon*  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  Apr:  28th  1707 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


Some  time  on  or  about  January  1703  Richard 
Salter  came  to  Woodbridge  and  desir'd  to  speak  with 
some  of  our  People  which  was  comply. d with  meeting 
at  Mr  Powels  House  John  Pike  being  one:  the  sd 
Richard  Salter  began  and  said  now  was  the  time  to 
have  our  agrie  vances  Remedied,  for  my  Lord  (he  said) 
stood  Inclin'd  to  the  dissatisfied  party,  and  that  now 
was  the  time  to  prosecute  the  opportunity  and  make 
my  Lord  (said  he  ) a present  of  a peice  of  money  of 
seven  or  eight  hundred  pounds  and  there  was  no 
question  to  be  made  but  that  it  wou'd  do  that  we 
shou'd  be  confirm'd  in  our  Rights  and  have  such 
Officers  both  civil  and  Military  as  the  People  shou'd 
best  like  of  And  that  my  Lord  (he  said*  had  already 
put  him  (speaking  of  himself.)  and  Anthony  Wood- 
ward in  the  Commission  of  the  Peace  which  caused  a 
great  consternation  in  the  contrary  Party  and  further 
said  that  the  money  must  not  be  carried  to  My  Lord 
for  he  would  not  be  seen  in  it  but  there  was  another 
hand  by  which  that  might  be  done  with  these  and 
other  like  Inticeing  arguments  did  prevail  with  John 
Pike  to  sign  a Bond. 

Sam11  Dennes 

This  was  Sworn e before  John  Harrison  Justice 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  201 

The  Deposition  of  Isack  Whitehead  of  Elizabeth- 
town Aged  fifty  four  years  or  thereabout  this  Depoifi 
saith  that  he  being  present  at  a tryal  between  Wm 
Lucar  Plantif  & John  Crain  Defendent  before  Coll 
Townley  that  this  depon*  heard  Coll  Townley  ask  the 
Plantif  what  he  had  to  offer  as  matter  to  prove  the 
debt  alledged  against  John  Crain  upon  which  the 
Plantif  Produc’d  a paper  with  a number  of  names  and 
seals  and  Coll  Towley  reading  over  the  Paper  this 
Depon*  heard  Coll  Townley  say  that  now  he  Saw  John 
Meaker  was  a man  of  his  word  for  he  herd  the  sd 
meaker  shou’d  say  that  he  the  sd  Meaker  had  paid 
four  pounds  for  the  desolving  of  the  Assembly  and 
further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

May  the  5th  1707  this  day  sworn  before  me 

Benjamin  Price  Justice 


Benj amine  Ogden  Aged  about  fifty  three  years  being 
sworn  saith  that  Richard  Salter  upon  pretence  of  the 
publick  good  did  perswade  this  deponent  in  March  I70f 
to  grant  bond  to  John  Bowne  for  the  payment  of  ten 
pounds  which  he  this  depon1  paid  the  6th  of  May  1707 
which  at  granting  sd  bond  he  expected  the  money 
shou’d  be  given  to  my  Lord  Cornbury  who  was  to 
perform  this  publick  good  as  he  supposed. 

Sworn  as  above  May  ye  6th  1707 

Benjamin  Ogden 
Lewis  Morris  chairman 


The  8th  day  of  March  170*  I sign’d  and  seal’d  a Bond 
to  Cap*  John  Bowne  of  ten  pounds  which  was  design’d 
for  a JPublick  good  I cannot  tell  what  use  this  money 
was  converted  to  nor  what  it  will  be  I have  as  much 


*202 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


reason  to  think  his  Lordship  has  part  of  it  as  anybody 
because  he  is  the  most  able  to  oblige  us  I have  paid  the 
money  and  taken  up  my  Bill. 

Jonas  Wood 

Sworn  as  above  6th  may  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


The  8th  day  of  March  17O4  Being  at  Joseph  Meaker’s 
House  in  Elizabethtown  I was  pers waded  to  sign  a 
Bond  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  of  ten  pounds  by  Joseph 
Meaker  Mr  Salter  said  it  should  be  for  the  Countries 
Good  which  money  I have  paid  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  I 
cannot  tell  who  this  money  was  intended  for  but  I 
believe  ’twas  for  his  Ldship 

John  Woodruff 

Sworn  as  above  May  ye  6th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


To  the  Honb,e  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Jersey  now  sitting  in  Burlington 
The  Petition  of  John  Pike  of  Woodbridge  in  the 
County  of  Midlesex  in  the  sd  Province 
Humbly  Showetk 

That  Richard  Salter  of  the  County  of  Monmouth  in 
the  sd  Province  in  the  Latter  end  of  the  year  1703  or 
Beginning  of  the  year  1701  Did  at  Woodbridge  aforesd 
by  subtile  and  crafty  words  and  cuning  insinuations 
(and  (as  your  Petitioner  beleives)  with  sinister  ends 
inform  your  Petitioner  and  Mr  Samuel  Dennes  together 
with  other  Inhabitants  of  Woodbridge  that  the  sd 
Province  was  groaning  under  insuperable  burthens 
viz.  that  the  constitutions  of  the  Qualifications  of 
Electors  and  Members  requir’d  to  serve  in  General  As- 
sembly was  an  Incroachment  upon  and  destructive  to 
the  Liberties  and  Priviledges  of  the  Inhabitants  of 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


203 


170? 


this  Province  that  the  then  Representatives  of  the 
Generali  Assembly  were  Enemies  to  the  Country  that 
the  then  Officers  Civil  and  Military  were  such  as  were 
no  friends  to  the  Country  and  Obnoxious  to  the 
People  That  Titles  of  the  Freeholders  lands  were  like 
to  be  call’d  in  question  and  either  destroy’d  or  become 
precarious  for  a Remedy  whereof  the  sd  Salter  did  pro- 
pose to  your  Petitioner  the  sd  Sam11  Dinnes  and  others 
That  if  the  Country  (or  the  Eastern  Division  as  your 
Petitioner  understood  him)  wou’d  raise  a sum  of  Seven 
or  Eight  hundred  pounds  which  must  be  privately  dis- 
posed of  there  could  be  obtained  a dissolution  of  the 
then  Assembly  a New  one  Elected  the  constitution  of 
the  qualifications  of  Electors  and  Representatives  al- 
tered the  Lands  confirmed  Particularly  the  Commons 
of  Woodbridge  secured  such  Officers  turn’d  out  and 
in  their  Stead  such  others  appointed  as  might  be  pleas- 
ing to  the  People  and  such  in  Woodbridge  as  the  In- 
habitants of  Woodbridge  shou’d  nominate  and  that 
the  money  raised  wou’d  only  be  Lent  because  an  Act 
cou’d  be  obtained  from  the  next  Assembly  to  Reim- 
burse those  generous  Inhabitants  that  wou’d  advance 
the  same,  by  which  specious  pretences  the  sd  Salter 
prevail’d  upon  your  Petitioner  that  he  entered  under  a 
penal  obligation  of  the  sum  of  forty  pounds  for  the 
payment  of  twenty  pounds  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  a 
Member  of  your  House  according  to  the  sd  Salters  de- 
sire who  did  inform  your  Petitioner  that  the  sd  Capt 
Bowne  upon  receipt  of  sd  obligation  would  readily  ad- 
vance the  money  since  which  time  your  Petitioner 
perceiving  the  Fallacie  and  Deceit  of  the  the  above  sd 
Pretences  was  unwilling  to  pay  the  whole  sum  but 
tho’  to  his  prejudice  hath  offered  to  compound  with 
the  sd  Bowne  Provided  he  wou’d  make  an  abatement 
which  he  still  refuseth  to  do  but  on  the  contrary 
threatens  to  put  the  sd  obligation  in  suit 

Your  Petitioner  hath  been  Credibly  Inform’d  that 


204 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


the  sd  Salter  took  such  measures  as  aforesd  through 
most  parts  of  the  Eastern  Division  by  which  was  ob- 
tained Large  sums  of  money  Your  Petitioner  therefore 
Humbly  Prays  that  the  Honble  House  of  Representa- 
tives will  take  the  above  sd  Petition  into  consideration 
and  to  take  such  measures  therein  as  in  your  Wisdom 
shall  think  fit  for  Relieving  your  Petitioner  from  pay- 
ing the  sd  Fraudulent  Obligation  and  to  take  such 
measures  for  the  future  to  discourage  Impostors  from 
carrying  on  such  cheating  Impositions  upon  the  Inhab- 
itants of  this  Province  and  as  in  duty  bound  yor  Peti- 
tioner shall  ever  Pray  &c* 

April  211*  1707  John  Pike 

And  further  more  this  depon*  upon  Oath  declares 
That  upon  Discourse  with  Richard  Salter  the  depon? 
told  sd  Richard  it  was  very  unjust  and  unreasonable 
that  we  shou’d  buy  with  our  money  that  which  of 
Right  belong’d  to  u&  and  sd  Salter  Reply’d  that  it  was 
customary  in  England  so  to  do  &c*  And  further  saith 
that  being  in  company  with  Cap*  Bowne  at  Amboy  he 
demmanding  the  money  specified  in  the  Petition  I told 
him  that  it  seem’d  to  me  unreasonable  to  pay  our 
money  before  we  had  an  account  of  the  disposing  of  it 
which  he  told  me  that  he  wou’d  give  me  or  any  other 
concern’d  single  or  alone  and  not  otherwise  The  which 
hath  not  yet  been  done  to  me  or  any  other  that  I 
know  of  and  further  saith  not. 

This  was  sworn  before  John  Harrison  Justice. 

John  Pike 


To  the  Honble  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Province  of  New  Jarsey  the  Petition  of  George 
Drake  of  Piscataway  in  the  County  of  Middlesex 
& sd  Province 
* Humbly  Sheweth. 

That  sometime  in  or  about  the  Month  of  March 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  205 

anno  domini  170f  Richard  Salter  came  to  the  House  of 
Benjamin  Hull  of  Piscataway  aforesd  and  did  inform 
your  Petitioner  with  many  others  That  now  was  the 
time  to  have  their  grievances  Redressed  and  to  have 
their  former  Liberties  and  Priviledges  Restored 
Especially  in  Chusing  Assembly  men  and  to  have  the 
naming  of  their  Officers  Civil  and  Military  or  at  lest 
have  such  put  into  those  Offices  as  should  be  pleasing 
to  them  If  they  wou’d  contribute  and  raise  a sum  of 
money  to  be  privately  used  and  disposed  of  to  that  end 
by  means  of  which  cuning  subtile  and  craftie  insinua- 
tions and  fair  Promises  your  Petitioner  was  Prevail’d 
upon  to  grant  a bond  to  John  Bowne  for  the  payment 
of  four  pounds  which  is  now  threat ned  to  be  put  in 
suit  against  your  Petition  to  the  great  Lose  and  Dam- 
mage  of  your  Petitioner  and  his  Family  Your  Peti- 
tioner never  having  had  the  least  Valuable  considera- 
tion for  granting  the  sd  obligation. 

May  it  therefore  Please  this  Honble  House  to  take  the 
Premises  into  serious  consideration  and  take  such 
measures  therein  to  Releive  your  Petitioner  against 
the  sd  obligation  and  to  discourage  and  Prevent  such 
cheats  for  the  future  as  to  this  Honb!e  House  in  their 
Wisdoms  shall  seem  most  meet  and  convenient.  And 
your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray  &c. 

George  Drake. 


To  the  Honb?e  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Province 
of  New  Jarsey  the  Petition  of  Benjamin  Hull  of 
Piscataway  in  the  County  of  Middlesex  in  the  sd 
Province. 

Humbly  Sheweth. 

That  sometime  in  or  about  the  month  of  March  anno 
domini  170f  Richard  Salter  came  to  the  House  of  your 
Petitioner  and  did  inform  your  Petitioner  with  many 


206  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

others  That  now  was  the  time  to  have  their  Grievances 
Redressed  and  to  have  then*  former  Liberties  and 
Priviledges  Restored  Especially  in  chusing  Assembly- 
men  and  to  have  the  Naming  of  their  Officers  Civil 
and  Military  or  at  lest  such  put  in  those  Offices  as 
shou'd  be  pleasing  to  them  to  get  free  of  then*  Quit 
rents  or  words  to  this  effect  if  they  wou'd  contribute 
and  raise  a sum  of  money  to  be  privately  used  and 
disposed  of  to  that  end  by  means  of  which  cunning 
subtile  and  Crafty  insinuations  and  fail*  Promises  your 
Petitioner  was  prevail’d  upon  to  grant  a Bond  to  John 
Bowne  for  the  Payment  of  three  pounds  which  bond  is 
now  threatned  to  be  put  in  Suit  against  your  Petitioner 
to  the  great  Lose  and  Damage  of  your  Petitioner  and 
his  poor  Family  your  Petitioner  never  having  had  any 
the  least  valuable  consideration  for  granting  the  sd 
Obligation. 

May  it  Therefore  Please  this  Honb!e  House  to  take 
your  Petitioners  case  into  Serious  Consideration  and  to 
take  such  measures  in  the  Premises  as  to  this  Honble 
House  shall  seem  meet  to  Releive  your  Petitioner 
against  the  aforesaid  Obligation  and  to  discourage  and 
Prevent  such  cheats  for  the  future  and  your  Petitioner 
as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c- 

Benjamin  Hull 


To  the  Honl,le  House  of  Representatives  of  Her  Majes- 
ties’ Province  of  New  Jarsey  the  Petition  of  John 
Langstaff  of  Piscataway  in  the  County  of  Mid- 
dlesex in  the  Eastern  Division  of  sd  Province. 
Humbly  Sheweth 

Whereas  your  Petitioner  being  serv’d  with  an  Order 
of  this  Honble  House  to  Attend  this  Honl,te  House  at 
Burlington  the  28*?  Instant  In  obedience  to  w^  Order 
your  Petitioner  having  duly  attended  this  HonWe  House 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


207 


1707 


in  order  to  give  his  Evidence  in  such  matters  as  shou’d 
be  demmanded  by  this  Honble  House  was  last  night 
arrested  at  the  suit  of  Cap1  John  Bowne  for  the  sum 
of  ten  pounds  contain’d  in  the  same  bond  which  was 
craftily  Extorted  from  your  Petitioner  by  Richard 
Salter  for  the  payment  of  five  pounds  upon  the  sd 
Salter’s  fair  and  specious  Promises  of  the  Publick  Good 
Greivances  Redressed  &c-  and  your  Petitioner  is  now 
detain’d  in  Prison  the  Sherrif  having  Refused  to 
Accept  of  severall  of  the  Members  of  this  Honb,e  House 
who  kindly  offered  themselves  to  be  Bail  for  your 
Petitioner  who  is  so  far  from  Home  and  a Stranger 
here. 

May  it  therefore  Please  this  Honble  House  to  take 
your  Petitioner’s  case  into  consideration  and  be  pleased 
to  grant  your  Petitioner  such  Releife  against  the  sd 
arrest  and  the  sd  fraudulent  Obligation  as  to  this 
Honb?e  House  in  their  Wisdoms  shall  seem  most  meet 
and  convenient  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray  &c 

John  Langstaff 


John  Johnstone  aged  about  forty  five  years  being 
sworn  saith  that  some  Gentlemen  of  the  Eastern  Divi- 
sion of  this  Province  Prevail’d  with  him  to  go  to 
New  York  to  my  Ld  Corn  bury  in  the  Month  of  May  or 
June  before  he  Published  his  Commission  in  the  Jar- 
seys  to  acquaint  him  that  they  expected  him  to  be 
their  Governor  and  that  they  had  obtain’d  from  the 
Queen  some  Terms  on  surrender  of  their  Government 
which  were  to  be  given  his  Ldp.  in  his  Instructions  a 
copie  of  which  he  this  Deponent  then  gave  his  Ldp.  to 
look  over  desiring  he  wou’d  be  pleased  to  let  him  know 
if  he  thought  any  of  them  were  such  as  he  cou’d  not 
when  Govr  put  in  execution  withall  telling  his  Ldp. 
that  he  had  reson  to  believe  some  of  them  wou'd  be 


*208  LORD  corxbury’s  administration.  [1707 

opposed  by  a great  many  People,  whose  Interests  or 
Inclinations  they  did  not  answer  withall  the  Depon? 
told  his  Ldp.  that  these  Gentlemen  had  ordered  him 
this  depon*  when  his  Ldp  came  to  he  Goy.r  to  make  him 
a present  of  a piece  of  Plate  to  the  value  of  two  hun- 
dred pounds  hopeing  his  Ldp.  wou’d  nicely  observe  his 
Instructions  and  use  his  Endeavours  to  put  them  in 
Execution  his  Ldp.  told  the  depon*  he  was  commanded 
by  Her  Matie  to  receive  no  presents  but  whatever 
Instructions  she  gave  him  he  wou'd  certainly  observe 
and  that  this  depon?  demmands  were  such  as  he  wou'd 
perform  That  seeing  this  Depon?  gave  his  Ldp.  the 
perusal  of  those  Instructions  his  Ldp.  wou'd  read  them 
over  his  Ldp.  appointed  a time  for  this  depon?  to  call 
again  which  this  depon*  then  did  and  then  appointed 
another  time  when  his  Ldp.  deliver’d  back  the  copie  to 
this  depon*  his  Ldp.  said  he  had  perused  them  and  told 
this  depon*  when  his  Instructions  came  y*  his  Ldp. 
wou’d  exactly  observe  them  with  which  the  depon? 
acquainted  several  of  the  Gentlemen  who  desired  the 
depon?  when  his  Ldp  came  to  Publish  his  Commission 
to  give  his  Ldp  one  hundred  pounds  with  which  this 
deponent  waited  on  his  Ldp  at  his  chamber  in  Mr 
Forster's  house  but  his  Ldp*  refused  to  take  it  saying 
her  Maj*?e  had  for  bid  him  and  he  wou'd  not  touch  with 
it  upon  which  this  Depon*  left  it  in  his  Ldps.  chamber 
and  came  away  sometime  after  during  the  sitting  of 
the  first  Assembly  this  depon*  was  desir'd  to  cany  his 
Ldp  the  other  hundred  pounds  (some  of  the  Gentlemen 
concern'd  thinking  his  Ldp*  began  to  cool  in  observing 
his  Instructions)  which  this  depon*  did  cany  to  his 
Ldp's  chamber  in  his  Ldgings  telling  his  Ldp  that  what 
this  depon*  had  promised  was  now  brought  w^h  his 
Ldp*  with  seeming  earnestness  refused  saying  the 
Queen  had  ordered  him  to  receive  no  money  this 
depon*  told  his  Ldp  that  had  this  depon*  known  what 
peice  of  Plate  wou'd  have  been  most  agreeable  to  his 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  2U9 

Ldp'  itshou’d  have  been  put  into  that  w"L  this  depon* 
believ’d  her  Ma*-le  had  not  forbid  and  that  it  was  not 
given  as  a Bribe  but  a mark  of  favour  and  regard 
to  his  Ldp*  for  nothing  had  been  demmanded  but 
what  was  Just  and  reasonable  if  otherwise  this  depon .* 
desir’d  to  know  that  such  things  might  be  forborn 
for  the  future  to  which  his  Ldp*  said  there  never  had 
and  withall  told  this  depon1  that  he  this  depon1  had 
Lent  his  Ldp*  one  hundred  pounds  already  which  he 
would  pay  again  after  which  and  many  other  words 
this  depon1  left  the  hundred  pounds  (being  what  he 
had  promised)  where  he  had  laid  it  (which  he  thinks) 
was  on  the  table  and  went  away.  And  further  this 
depon-  saith  that  sometime  after  his  Ldps  Instruc- 
tions came  this  depon*  Enquired  of  his  Ldp*  whether 
they  agreed  with  those  this  depon*  had  shown  to  his 
Ldp*  which  his  Ldp*  said  he  thought  they  did  in 
every  thing,  and  this  Depon*  further  saith.  that  he 
this  deponent  did  never  receive  the  hundred  pounds 
which  his  Ldp*  said  he  wrou’d  pay  again  nor  never  did 
expect  it  nor  this  last  hundred  pounds.  And  further 
this  depon*  saith  that  a few  days  since  being  in  com- 
pany with  Richard  Salter  and  discoursing  about  the 
Assembly,  Enquiring  howT  the  money  was  disposed  of 
that  was  privately  raised  the  sd  Salter  told  this  depon* 
he  cou’d  direct  them  to  a Person  to  enquire  of  and 
being  asked  by  this  depon*  wrho  that  was  replied  D- 
Bridges  and  said  that  if  any  body  cou’d  tell  it  was  he 
and  further  this  depon*  saith  not 
May  1st  1707  Sworne  before 
a Grand  Committee  of  yc  Lewis  Morris  chairman 
House  of  Representatives 


John  Laxgstafe  Aged  sixty  years  being  sworn 
saith  That  Cap*  Richard  Salter  some  time  in  the  Month 
of  March  170|  being  at  the  House  of  Benjamine  Hull 
14 


LORD  CORNBURY  8 ADMINISTRATION. 


•210 


[1707 


in  Piscataway  in  company  with  the  depont  and  some 
others  he  said  to  the  sd  depon‘  that  now  was  the  time 
to  have  their  Grievances  Redressed  to  have  such  Offi- 
cers Civil  and  Military  as  the  People  best  liked  of  to  be 
freed  of  their  Quitrents  to  have  the  then  Assembly 
desolved  but  the  doing  of  these  things  wou’d  require  a 
sum  of  money  to  be  privately  raised  and  disposed  of  to 
that  end  and  further  said  that  tho1  the  money  was  to 
be  given  to  my  Lord  yet  it  might  not  be  carried 
directly  to  his  Ldp’  but  that  it  was  to  be  convey’d  to 
his  Ldp*  by  an:  other  hand  and  also  that  the  money 
now  raised  should  be  only  lent  for  the  next  Assembly 
wou’d  raise  money  to  repay  them  that  did  advance  any 
money  now  or  words  to  this  effect  by  means  of  which 
fair  Inticing  Promises  the  sd  Depoffi  was  prevail’d  upon 
to  grant  an  Obligation  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  for  the 
Payment  of  five  pounds  which  was  fill’d  up  in  a blank 
Bond  many  of  which  sd  Salter  had  ready  which  he 
said  were  drawn  by  a Boy  of  his  and  further  saith  not. 

Apr:  29  1707  Sworne  before. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


Mu  Anthony  Woodward  being  Sworn  and  upon  his 
oath  declares  as  followeth  That  he  paid  unto  Capt  John 
Bowne  Ten  pounds  to  be  apply’d  by  him  towards  the 
paying  some  Lawers  and  such  other  Publick  use  as 
he  should  think  fit  and  further  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  Apr:  21  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


J oseph  Meaker  Aged  fifty  nine  years  being  Sworn 
saith  that  M|  Richard  Salter  told  this  depoifi  that  he 
thought  the  then  Assembly  would  be  dis’olved  and 
that  the  Countrey  had  not  a free  choice  of  their  Repre- 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


211 


sentatives  in  that  Assembly  and  that  if  a sum  of 
money  cou’d  be  raised  which  he  the  sd  Salter  perswad 
ed  to;  He  sd  Salter  said  he  knew  he  could  procure 
from  my  Ld  Cornbury  that  they  shou’d  have  a free 
choice  of  their  Representatives  their  Quit  rents  clear’d 
and  new  Justices  made  such  as  the  People  had  a mind 
to  this  depoifi  further  saith  that  Richard  Salter  in  a 
great  company  where  himself  Jonas  Wood  Joseph 
Lyon  Ben j amine  Meaker  and  severall  others  were, 
Salter  told  them  that  the  money  raised  was  to  be  given 
to  my  Ld  Cornbury  to  obtain  the  Ends  aforesd  that 
this  depon*  paid  four  pounds  himself  with  intent  to  be 
given  to  my  Ld  Cornbury  for  to  obtain  the  Ends 
aforesd  and  that  most  of  the  Contributers  in  Elizabeth 
Towne  told  this  depon1  that  they  had  given  the  money 
to  be  given  to  my  Ld  Cornbury  to  obtain  a dissolution 
of  the  then  Assembly  and  other  the  ends  before  named 
this  depon1  says  he  does  not  know  whether  the  money 
was  given  to  my  Lord  Cornbury  or  not  but  he  believes 
it  was. 

Apr.  28  1707  Sworn  as  before. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


Sefty  Grover  Aged  forty  nine  years  being  Sworn 
saith  that  he  saw  severall  Billes  in  Salter’s  hands  for 
several  sums  of  money  Particularly  one  from  M.1  John 
Royce  for  a sum  above  thirty  pounds  one  from  one 
Lucar  (but  whether  the  younger  or  older  he  knows 
noti  for  forty  pounds  and  from  one  Dunham  or  some 
such' Name  for  five  pounds  that  the  sd  Salter  wou’d 
have  had  this  depon1  sign  a Bond  to  Cap1  Bowne  and 
accordingly  produced  a blank  Bond  ready  drawn  which 
this  depon1  refused  to  sign  untill  he  knew  what  it  was 
for  Salter  reply’d  it  was  for  the  good  of  the  Country 
and  ’t wou’d  prove  so  and  this  depon1  urged  very  hard 
to  know  what  it  was  for  he  the  sd  Salter  told  this  de- 


212  LORO  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

pon-  He  should  never  know  more  than  he  did  know 
this  depon?  saith  further  that  he  saw  a parcell  of  Pa- 
pel's  in  Salters  hands  which  Salter  told  him  were  Billes 
and  read  severall  of  them  to  him  but  he  does  not  re- 
member the  Persons  Names  or  Sums  but  that  they 
were  most  or  all  taken  in  Cap'  John  Bownes  Name  he 
the  sd  depon1  also  saith  that  James  Grover  told  him  he 
gave  ten  pounds  on  the  account  James  Cox  told  him 
six  or  seven  times  that  he  had  given  ten  pounds  James 
Bowne  told  the  depon1  he  had  given  six  pounds  George 
Allen  told  this  depon?  he  had  given  twelve  pounds 
Gersham  Mot  told  this  depon'  it  had  cost  him  twenty 
pounds  but  whether  it  was  for  the  Lawyers  or  upon 
the  other  account  which  generally  obtain’d  the  name 
of  the  blind  tack  this  depon?  can  not  tell  vl  William 
Winter  told  this  deponent  he  had  given  four  pounds 
upon  that  blind  tack  John  Bray  told  this  depon  he 
had  given  six  pounds  and  that  he  was  straitned  to 
procure  the  money  vl  this  depon1  heard  Salter  read  a 
Bill  from  himself  to  Bowne  but  remembers  not  the 
sum  this  depon1  further  saith  that  by  Common  fame 
the  Persons  hereafter  nam’d  were  supposed  to  contrib- 
ute to  the  blind  tack,  as  follows  viz.  Widow  Reape 
t wenty  pounds  Steven  Cook  six  pounds  Joseph  Cox 
twelve  pounds  Garet  Wall  thirty  pounds  he  told  this 
depon1  it  had  cost  him  forty  pounds  Nathaniel  Parker 
Eight  pounds  John  Lipincot  six  pounds  Joseph  Parker 
six  pounds  Elisha  Laurance  twenty  pounds  and  that 
all  the  Laurances  except  Ben]  a mine  gave  money  Rich- 
ard Hartshome  thirty  pounds  Cap'  Andrew  Bowne 
thirty  six  pounds  this  depon1  thinks  Salter  shew’d  him 
Cap?  Andrew  Bownes  Bond  for  that  sum  Edward 
Woolly  seven  or  eight  pounds  John  Woolly  eight 
pounds  Obecliah  Bowne  thirty  pounds  Moses  Lipet  six 
pounds  John  Stout  six  pounds  W"  Winter  told  this 
Depon'  he  was  by  when  Lipet  and  Stout  gave  it  John 
Williams  Eighteen  shillings  Joseph  Wardell  Eight 


3 707]  LORD  cornbury’s  ADMINISTRATION.  213 

pounds  John  Scot  five  pounds  and  upwards  John  Lau- 
rance  seven  pounds  William  Hartshorn  six  pounds 
Richard  Lipincot  five  pounds  and  upwards  Thomas 
White  eight  pounds  James  Ashton  seven  or  Eight 
pounds  George  Hulet  six  pounds  Old  Robins  forty 
shillings  Richard  James  Six  pounds  that  it  was  gener- 
ally believ’d  one  man  had  all  the  money  aforesd  Wil- 
liam Winter  told  this  depoifi  Salter  promised  to  get  his 
Quit  rents  off  and  that  Cap1  Still  will  shou’d  be  put  out 
of  office  and  this  depon-  saith  that  it  was  Salter  gener- 
ally went  about  to  per s wade  the  raising  the  above  sd 
money  this  depon*  further  saith  it  was  some  little  time 
after  he  the  sd  Salter  had  taken  the  Oaths  for  to  be  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  that  this  depon1  had  this  discourse 
with  him  and  that  some  time  before  that,  the  sd  Salter 
had  desir’d  this  depoff  to  send  severall  persons  to  meet 
him  at  Middletowm  at  an  appointed  time  which  this 
depoiff  did  do  and  some  of  the  persons  afterwards  told 
him  they  had  given  him  the  sd  Salter  Bills  on  ac- 
count of  the  Blind  Tack  aforesd  and  further  this  de- 
don1  saith  not., 

Apr:  26th  1707  Sworne  as  before. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


George  Allen  aged  about  thirty  five  years  being 
Sworn  saith  that  he  gave  a Bond  to  John  Bowne  for 
the  payment  of  six  pounds  intended  for  the  good  of 
the  Country  and  for  paying  of  Lawers  fees  and  that 
he  his  depon1  received  twenty  shillings  from  Mrs  Bickly 
without  her  telling  this  depoff  on  what  account  it  was 
or  saying  anything  to  this  depon1  about  it  which  twen- 
ty shillings  he  this  depon1  gave  to  Obediah  Bowne  as 
his  own  money  but  says  he  believes  the  sd  Mrs  Bickly 
gave  the  sd  twenty  shillings  to  this  depoff  on  that 
account  that  it  is  for  the  Lawyers  fees  this  depon1  fur- 
ther saith  that  upon  recollecting  his  memory  that  he 


214  LOUD  CORNBURY*S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

receiv’d  two  pieces  of  Gold  more  of  sd  Mr.8  Bickly  and 
three  pounds  of  Jean  Borden  and  six  pounds  of  John 
Woolly  and  six  pounds  of  George  Hulet  all  which  sd 
depon?  paid  to  Obediah  Bowne  to  be  by  him  paid  to 
John  Bowne  or  Bichard  Salter  but  which  of  them  sd 
Obediah  Bowne  paid  sd  Eighteen  pounds  this  depon? 
knows  not  certainly  but  believes  sd  Obediah  Bowne 
paid  it  to  Richard  Salter  and  the  sd  depon1  further 
saith  that  he  believes  that  the  design  of  raising  and 
paying  sd  money  was  for  Lawers  fees  to  prosecute 
Thomas  Gordon  and  to  stop  the  passing  of  the  long 
Bill  and  sd  depon1  further  saith  that  he  has  heard  that 
there  was  a great  deal  more  money  raised  to  disolve 
the  first  Assembly  to  have  the  choice  of  Officers  Civil 
and  Military  &c  and  that  sd  money  so  raised  was  to  be 
repaid  by  the  next  Assembly  and  much  more  to  that 
effect  and  further  the  depon1  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  May  3d  1707. 

Thomas  Gordon  Chairman 


Asher  Clayton  Aged  about  thirty  three  years  being 
sworn  saith  that  Richard  Salter  being  in  company 
with  this  depon?  told  him  that  the  greatest  part  of  the 
People  in  the  Country  that  had  any  Regard  to  the 
future  had  given  or  agreed  to  give  money  and  further 
told  this  depon?  that  his  father  had  agreed  to  give 
twenty  pounds  but  that  if  he  and  his  Brother  wou’d 
give  ten  pounds  they  shou’d  be  excused  which  they  did 
promise  to  do  if  their  father  had  Engaged  to  pay  such 
a sum  but  upon  Enquiry  finding  it  to  be  false  and 
being  well  assured  that  then1  father  had  made  no  such 
promise  they  did  not  pay  to  the  sd  Salter  any  money 
upon  which  refusal  the  said  Salter  writ  them  a Letter 
that  they  did  severally  Engage  their  faith  that  if  he 
wou’d  pay  ten  pounds  into  the  stocks  then  raised  for 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  215 

the  service  of  the  Country  against  the  Proprietors  In- 
terest that  then  seem’d  to  Tower  above  the  Levell  of 
their  Nighbours  they  the  sd  Clayton’s  wou’d  repay  it 
and  which  if  they  did  not  do  he  threatned  to  Enter  his 
Suit  in  the  High  Court  of  Chancery  against  them  fur- 
ther this  deponfc  saith  Richard  Salter  show’d  him  a List 
of  Names  of  Persons  which  the  sd  Salter  said  had 
given  money  and  Remembers  he  saw  in  that  List  the 
Names  of  Thomas  Killingworth  and  William  Dare 
that  against  Killingworth’s  name  was  ten  pounds  and 
against  Dares  five  pounds  or  ten  but  the  depon1  is  not 
positive  which  or  whither  the  ten  pounds  was  against 
Dares  Name  and  the  five  pounds  against  Killingworth’s 
but  is  positive  there  is  no  sum  in  that  List  above  ten 
pounds  And  Salter  said  notwithstanding  his  the  de- 
ponts  father  had  promis’d  to  give  twenty  pounds  he 
the  said  Salter  would  accept  of  ten  from  this  depon* 
and  his  Brother  if  he  was  willing  to  give  it  And  fur- 
ther the  depon*  saith  that  when  he  acquainted  sd  Sal- 
ter that  he  was  Inform’d  that  his  Father  had  made  no 
such  Promise  the  sd  Salter  grew  Angry  and  said  he 
had  not  laid  the  money  down  for  him  nor  by  God 
wou’d  not  except  the  depon*  paid  him  and  further  the 
depon*.  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  Apr:  25th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


John  Clayton  aged  about  twenty  seven  years  being- 
attested  said  that  Richard  Salter  being  in  company 
with  this  Deponent  at  Burlington  in  August  or  Sep- 
tember about  two  years  and  a half  since  the  sd  Salter 
did  tell  the  sd  depon*  that  his  Father  had  promised  to 
give  twenty  pounds  to  the  publick  stock  then  raising 
for  the  service  of  the  Country  against  the  Propr’s  In- 
terest but  that  if  this  depon*  and  his  Brother  wou’d 
give  ten  pounds  he  wou’d  accept  of  it  which  this  de- 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


21  (i 


[1701 


poiff  and  his  Brother  promised  to  do  if  his  Father  had 
made  any  such  Promisef  this  depon1  further  saith  that 
the  sd  Salter  at  the  time  and  place  aforesd  did  shew 
this  depon?  a List  of  persons  names  who  had  subsribed 
to  pay  severall  sums  of  money  and  that  this  depon- 
saw  Tho  Killingworth  and  Cap1  Will.  Dare  subscrib 
their  Names  to  the  sd  List  and  that  against  Killing- 
worth’s  name  to  the  best  of  his  memory  was  ten 
pounds  put  and  against  Dare’s  Name  five  pounds  was 
put  by  the  sd  Killingworth  and  Dare  and  further  the 
Depon1  saith  not. 

t but  they  were  afterwards  informed  he  ye  depo- 
nents Father  had  made  no  such  promise 
Sworn  as  before  Apr:  281?1  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


William  Laurance  Aged  forty  eight  years  being 
sworn  saith  that  he  gave  twenty  pounds  to  Capt  John 
Bowne  to  be  disposed  of  for  the  Publick  good  of  the 
Province  viz.  to  pay  some  Lawers  that  had  been  En- 
gaged to  plead  before  the  Assembly  against  some  Per- 
sons which  this  depon1  and  others  then  thought  to  be 
unduly  elected  and  unjustly  returned  by  the  Sheriff 
and  not  meeting  with  the  Satisfaction  they  expected 
from  the  then  Assembly:  Did  design  to  Employ  an 
Agent  if  need  required  to  go  for  England  to  manage 
the  matter  against  Thomas  Gordon  the  then  Sheriff 
and  further  this  depon1  saith  that  being  three  days 
since  in  Company  with  Richard  Salter  the  sd  Salter  in 
a merry  way  of  discourse  about  the  Assembly’s  En- 
quiry concerning  the  two  Blind  Taxes  as  they  are 
call’d  said  if  they  wou’d  have  a further  account  they 
may  go  to  (or  enquire)  of  D'  Bridges  or  words  to  that 
effect  And  further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  May  1st  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  217 

John  Boyce  Aged  fifty  years  being  sworn  saith  that 
he  paid  forty  pounds  to  Cap’  John  Bowne  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Country  to  hinder  the  Passing  of  the  Long 
Bill  either  here  or  in  England  and  that  some  money 
was  given  to  Lawers  hut  what  became  of  the  rest  this 
Deponent  knows  not  but  that  the  common  report  was 
that  the  money  was  given  to  my  Lord  Cornbury  but 
this  Deponent  is  rather  of  Opinion  that  it  was  deliv- 
er’d to  Dr  Bridges  and  further  this  depon’  saith  not. 

Sworne  as  before  May  1st  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


Elisha  Parker  Aged  forty  six  years  being  sworn 
saith  That  he  paid  Eight  or  Ten  pounds  to  Cap1  John 
Bowne  but  is  not  certain  which  and  that  it  was  for 
the  good  of  the  Country  and  was  perswaded  by  Cap’ 
Richard  Salter  and  others  that  the  Proprietors  had  a 
greater  Interest  with  my  Lord  Cornbury  than  the  Peo- 
ple and  therefore  this  Depon’  did  join  with  others  in 
contributing  a sum  of  money  to  present  to  his  Ldp* 
and  his  Favorites  to  Induce  him  to  be  more  the  Freind 
of  the  People  than  at  that  time  he  thought  he  was  and 
that  this  depon’  was  Informed  by  sd  Salter  but  not  in 
direct  terms  that  it  was  given  to  Dr  Bridges  and  my 
Ld  Cornbury  and  this  depon^  is  of  opinion  ’twas  shar’d 
between  them  and  further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

Sworn  as  above  May  ye  1st  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


Edmond  Dunham  Aged  about  forty  six  years  being 
sworn  saith  that  about  three  years  ago  being  at  the 
House  of  Cap’  Andrew  Bowne  in  Company  with  Cap’ 
Richard  Salter  sd  Salter  told  the  depon1  that  he  thought 


218  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

it  convenient  that  some  money  might  be  rais’d  for  the 
Publick  good  and  the  Depon1  Enquiring  for  what  sd 
money  was  the  sd  Salter  reply ’d  there  must  be  no 
questions  asked  and  sd  Salter  having  a blank  Obliga- 
tion ready  sd  Depon*  did  sign  one  for  the  payment  of 
five  pounds  to  Cap1  John  Bowne  and  further  saith  not. 
Sworn  as  before  Apr.  29th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


John  Drake  Aged  about  fifty  years  being  sworn 
saith  that  some  time  in  March  anno  domini  I70f  being 
in  company  with  Richard  Salter  at  the  House  of  Benja™ 
Hull  in  Piscataway  He  sd  Salter  said  to  this  depon1 
now  was  the  time  to  raise  money  for  the  publick  good 
and  to  be  freed  of  their  Quitrents  he  this  depon* 
answer’d  what  way  was  the  money  to  be  imploy’d  for  if 
it  was  to  be  disposed  of  here  he  thought  it  wou’d  do 
little  good  but  if  it  were  to  be  Imploy’d  at  Home 
against  the  Proprietors  to  be  freed  of  their  Quitrents 
he  the  said  depont  wou’d  freely  contribute  to  which  sd 
Salter  reply’d  that  the  way  of  disposing  of  the  money 
must  not  be  spoken  of  but  to  be  sure  the  Person  in- 
trusted with  the  money  wou’d  take  care  it  shou’d  be 
disposed  of  for  the  Publick  good  by  means  of  which 
fair  promises  he  this  depon-  was  prevail’d  upon  to  sign 
an  Obligation  (several  of  which  • sd  Salter  had  ready 
writ  blank)  for  the  Payment  of  four  pounds  to  Cap1 
John  Bowne. 

Sworne  as  above  Apr.  29th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


I John  Woolly  Aged  about  forty  six  years  being 
Attested  say  that  I deliver’d  six  pounds  to  George 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


219 


Allen  to  be  delivered  to  John  Bowne  to  pay  some  Law- 
ers  that  had  been  Imploy’d  to  plead  before  the  Assem- 
bly Against  Thomas  Gordon  concerning  the  111  usage 
that  the  greatest  part  of  the  Eastern  Division  thought 
they  met  with  at  the  Election  at  Amboy  and  no  other 
Reason  that  I know  of  Induc’d  me  to  pay  that  money 
and  to  the  best  of  my  memory  it  is  three  years  the  last 
first  and  second  month.  John  Woolly 

Sworn  as  before  May  ye  6th  1707. 

Lewis  Morris  chairman 


To  the  Honb/e  Representatives  of  the  province 
of  New  Jersey  in  General  Assembly  the 
petition  of  ns  underscribers  freeholders  and 
Inhabitants  in  ye  Eastern  Division  of  sd 
province 
Humly  Sheweth 

That  whereas  your  Petitioners  are  Credibly  Informed 
yl  ye  publick  Records  Laws  & other  publick  writtings 
y*  were  formerly  keept  in  ye  Secretaryes  office  of 
and  belonging  to  ye  province  of  East  New  Jersey  now 
ye  Eastern  Division  of  sd  province  are  or  have  of  late 
been  in  ye  Custodie  of  Peter  Sonmans  who  Calls  him- 
self Agent  to  ye  proprietors  of  sd  Division.— And 
whereas  it  has  been  Credibly  Reported  y?  sd  Sonmans 
is  a Bankrupt  & has  absconded  from  his  Creditors  in 
England  & is  Generally  Esteemed  a person  of  no  repu- 
tation. nor  known  to  have  any  Certain  abode. 

And  whereas  your  petitioners  are  further  Informed 
yfc  ye  sd  publick  Records  &.c  and  Carried  out  of  sd  Eas- 
tern Division  but  where  or  how  disposed  of  Cannot  as  ' 
yet  learn  so  y‘  neither  your  petitioners  nor  many  others 
concerned  knowes  not  where  nor  to  whom  to  have 
recourse  as  occasion  offers. 


220  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

And  whereas  ye  sd  Records  &r  are  ye  Chiefe  Evi- 
dences of  not  only  your  petitioners  but  most  if  not  all 
ye  freeholders  Estates  within  sd  division. 

Your  Petioners  therefore  humbly  prayes  y*  you  yc  sd 
HonbIe  Representatives  of  sd  province  will  be  pleased  to 
take  a matter  of  so  great  Importance  under  your  Con- 
sideration & be  pleased  to  take  such  measures*  as  your 
prudence  shall  direct  y*  ye  sd  publick  Records  &c  may 
be  taken  out  of  ye  custodie  of  sd  Somnans  & Commit- 
ted to  some  person  of  a visible  Estate  & good  Reputa- 
tion within  sd  Eastern  division  where  they  may  be 
safely  keept  y all  concerned  may  have  ready  access 
thereunto,  and  as  in  duty  bound  Your  petitioners 
shall  ever  pray  &c. 

Sam11  Dennes. 

Sam11  Hale. 

John  Blomfield. 

Ills 

Ephraim  m Andrews 

marke. 

John  Pike. 


The  Answer  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  to  certain 
questions  of  Lord  Comhury. 

[As  Printed  in  Smith’s  Hist,  of  N.  J..  page  285.] 

The  answer  delivered  to  the  Governors  three 
questions,  Delivered  to  him  by  the  Council 
of  Proprietors. 

Whereas  our  governor  the  lord  Cornbury,  was 
pleased  at  our  attending  on  him  in  council,  the  thir- 
teenth day  of  this  instant  May,  to  require  answers  to 
three  questions,  viz.  who  was  the  council  of  propri- 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  221 

etors  the  last  year;  and  who  are  chosen  for  this  year 
1707,  and  to  have  the  names  of  them?  the  second  is, 
what  are  the  powers  the  said  council  pretend  to  have? 
the  third,  by  whom  constituted? 

And  in  obedience  thereto,  we  being  part  of  the 
trustees  or  agents  commonly  called  the  council  of 
proprietors,  are  willing  to  give  all  the  satisfaction  we 
are  able,  in  humble  answer  to  his  lordships  requirings, 
viz. 

First,  the  persons  chosen  for  the  last  year  to  serve 
the  proprietors  as  agents  or  trustees,  were  William 
Biddle,  Samuel  Jenings,  George  Deacon,  John  Wills, 
and  Christopher  Wetherill,  for  the  county  of  Burling- 
ton; and  John  Reading,  Francis  Collings,  John  Kay 
and  William  Hall,  of  Salem,  for  the  county  of  Glouces- 
ter, and  below;  and  for  this  present  year  1707,  Wil- 
liam Biddle,  Samuel  Jenings,  Lems  Morris,  George 
Deacon,  John  Wills,  John  Kay,  John  Reading,  Thomas 
Gardiner  and  William  Hall  of  Salem. 

2.  In  the  year  1677,  the  first  ship  that  came  here 
from  England,  which  brought  the  first  inhabitants 
that  came  to  settle  in  these  remote  parts,  by  virtue  of 
Byllinge’s  right,  before  she  sail’d  the  proprietors  being 
met  together  at  London,  thought  it  advisable  to  settle 
some  certain  method  how  the  purchasers  of  land  from 
Byllinge,  &c.  should  have  their  just  rights  laid  forth 
to  them,  concluded  on  a number  of  persons,  viz. 
Joseph  Helmsly,  William  Emly,  John  Penford,  Ben- 
jamin Scott,  Daniel  Wills,  Thomas  Olive  and  Robert 
Stacy,  as  should  be  called  commissioners,  and  they 
were  first  impowered  to  purchase  what  land  they 
could  from  the  Indians,  and  then  to  inspect  all  rights, 
as  any  lands  were  claimed,  and  when  satisfied  therein, 
to  order  the  laying  it  out  accordingly;  which  commis- 
sioners when  arrived  here,  did  forthwith  make  several 
purchases  of  land,  and  acted  as  aforesaid,  for  some 
time,  till  some  of  them  being  not  longer  able  to 


222  LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

struggle  with  such  hunger,  and  many  other  great 
hardships  as  were  then  met  withal,  return’d  again  for 
England;  so  for  preventing  confusion  among  the 
people,  the  assembly  took  the  trouble  of  it  on  them; 
this  continued  in  practice  till  about  the  year  1687;  then 
the  assembly  having  much  other  business,  and  not 
being  able  to  spend  their  time  and  money  abroad, 
would  not  longer  be  troubled  with  that  business,  as 
was  wholly  belonging  to  the  proprietors,  and  so  threw 
it  out  of  the  house,  and  told  the  proprietors  they 
might  choose  a convenient  number  of  persons  of  them- 
selves, to  transact  their  own  business:  Accordingly 
the  14th  day  of  February,  the  same  year,  the  proprie- 
tors met  at  Burlington,  and  then  and  there  chose  and 
elected  eleven  persons  of  themselves,  to  act  for  the 
whole,  for  the  next  ensuing  year ; but  then  finding 
that  so  many  and  at  such  distances  being  hard  to  be 
got  together,  they  next  year  chose  but  nine,  and  ac- 
cordingly signed  instruments  for  the  confirming  that 
constitution,  of  wiiich  his  lordship  has  a copy;  and 
the  same  methods  have  been  every  year  since  practised 
to  this  present  year  1707;  and  in  all  this  time  no  in 
conveniencies  hath  arisen  from  it,  but  on  the  contrary, 
much  ease  and  advantage  to  the  proprietors;  as  by  a 
further  declaration  of  many  other  of  the  proprietors 
under  their  hands,  is  ready  to  be  proved. 

Now  as  to  the  powers  of  these  as  are  nowr  and  have 
all  along  been,  they  are  the  same  with  the  first  that 
came  over  from  England  in  the  year  1677;  that  is  to 
say,  to  purchase  land  of  the  Indians,  with  the  consent 
and  advice  of  the  said  proprietors  as  chose  them,  and 
to  inspect  the  rights  of  every  man  as  shall  claim  any 
land,  so  that  the  same  may  be  surveyed  to  him  or 
them:  and  for  the  more  easy  and  speedy  settling  of 
the  province,  commissioners  have  been  appointed  in 
each  county,  to  inspect  all  rights  as  aforesaid;  the  said 
agents,  trustees  or  council,  also  to  choose  a recorder,  a 


LORD  CORXBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


1707] 


surveyor  general  and  rangers  in  each  county,  to  range 
for  the  benefit  of  the  said  general  proprietors,  and  to 
appoint  persons  to  prevent  the  wasting  and  destroying 
of  the  proprietors  timber,  upon  their  unsurveyed 
lands,  &c. 

The  proprietors  residing  in  England  have  had  a 
knowledge  of  a committee  of  the  agents  or  trustees 
of  the  proprietors  here,  who  were  to  act  and  negotiate 
their  affairs  by  their  agents,  from  time  to  time,  acting 
in  conjunction  with  them,  as  Adlord  Boud,  John 
Tatham,  agents  to  doctor  Coxe;  and  when  Jeremiah 
Bass  was  agent,  he  acted  with  them  also;  after  him, 
when  our  late  governor  Hamilton  was  made  agent, .he 
acted  as  one  of  the  said  agents,  trustees  or  council  for 
several  years,  and  was  president  of  the  same;  and 
now  Lewis  Morris,  as  agent  to  the  society,  is  one  of 
the  said  trustees  or  council;  and  not  only  the  agents  of 
the  agents  of  the  proprietors  at  home,  but  any  propri- 
etor now  hath,  and  have  had  liberty,  to  come  and 
meet  with  the  said  agents,  trustees  or  council,  when 
he  or  they  pleased. 

Lastly,  as  to  the  constitution  of  the  said  agents, 
trustees  or  committee;  and  by  whom  constituted;  it  is 
on  certain  days  in  the  comity  of  Burlington  and 
Gloucester,  yearly  and  every  year,  they  are  chosen  by 
the  proprietors:  The  above  is  as  good  an  account  as 
we  that  are  present  are  able  to  give,  in  answer  to 
what  was  required  of  us  by  his  lordship,  and  pray  it 
may  find  acceptance  as  such; -but  if  any  further  thing 
may  seem  needful  to  be  answered,  we  humbly  pray  it 
may  for  this  time  be  suspended,  till  the  whole  can  be 
got  together. 

[May  30tl1,  1707.] 


224: 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
relating  to  affairs  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  17.] 

Letter  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  Governour  of 
New  Jersey;  Dated  the  7*1  June  1707. 
received  from  M;  Sloper  27  Janu  170g 

New  York  June  the  7th  1707 

My  Lords 

In  my  letter  of  the  18th  of  9ber  last,  I did  acquaint 
your  Lordshipps,  that  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey 
which  was  to  have  met  at  Amboy  on  the  24th  of  8ber, 
did  not  sit  by  reason  of  the  Speakers  indisposition,  and 
the  Absence  of  severall  of  the  Members  who  did  not 
think  fit  to  attend  their  Duty,  and  that  I had  adiourned 
the  Assembly  to  meet  at  Burlington  the  12th  day  of 
March  170®,  and  that  after  that  I had  resolved  to  dis- 
solve that  Assembly,  which  I did,  and  Issued  Writts 
for  the  chusing  a New  Assembly  according  to  the 
directions  contained  in  her  Majesty’s  Additionall  In- 
struction, they  were  to  meet  on  the  25th  day  of  March 
at  Burlington,  but  all  the  Members  did  not  get  together 
till  the  5th  of  April  on  which  day  I directed  them  to 
chuse  a Speaker,  whom  they  presented  to  me  on  the 
7th  of  April,  their  choice  fell  upon  Samuell  Jennings  a 
Quaker  who  had  been  a Member  of  the  Councill,  and 
but  the  last  fall  had  desired  to  be  dismissed  from  the 
Councill  for  the  reasons  I then  acquainted  your  Lord 
shipps  with,  but  now  it  appeared  very  plainly  that  the 
true  reason  why  he  desired  to  be  dismissed  from  the 
Councill  was,  that  he  might  be  chosen  into  the  Assem- 
bly, where  he  knew  he  could  oppose  the  Queens  service 
more  effectually,  then  he  could  doe  in  the  Councill.  I 


1707]  lokd  corxb  cry's  admixistratiox.  225 

was  once  of  opinion  that  I ought  not  to  admit  a Man 
to  be  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  who  had  refused  to 
serve  the  Queen  in  the  Station  her  Maiesty  had  been 
pleased  to  put  him,  but  having  communicated  my 
thoughts  to  some  of  the  Councill,  and  perticularly  to 
Collonell  Quary,  they  told  me  they  did  not  like  the 
Man,  but  they  were  of  opinion  that  if  I did  reiect  him, 
the  House  would  make  use  of  that  as  a handle  to  refuse 
the  doing  anything,  that  therefore  they  could  wish  I 
would  allow  their  choice,  that  they  might  have  noe 
excuse,  upon  this  I did  allow  the  choice  they  had  made 
of  Jennings  to  be  Speaker,  and  in  my  Speech  I ac- 
quainted them  what  I thought  necessary  to  be  done,  a 
copy  of  which  I here  send  inclosed  for  your  Lordshipps 
perusall,  the  Assembly  met  and  instead  of  proceeding 
upon  the  matters  I had  proposed  to  them,  or  upon  any 
other  thing  that  might  have  been  of  use  to  the  Coun- 
try, they  set  up  a Committee  of  Grieuances,  and  spent 
a whole  month  in  finding  out  Grieuances  which  noe 
body  in  the  Province  had  heard  of  before,  what  those 
were  your  Lordshipps  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed 
paper,  which  is  a true  copy  of  the  Remonstrance  they 
delivered  to  me,  and  the  answer  I made  to  it  and  which 
I did  not  deliver  to  them  till  I had  imparted  it  to  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  who  all  approved  of  it 
except  Mr  Deacon  who  is  a Quaker,  and  now  I beg 
leave  to  digresse  a little  to  acquaint  you  with  the 
behaviour  of  M‘  Lewis  Morris,  your  Lordshipps  were 
pleased  to  command  me  to  restore  Mr  Morris  to  his 
place  in  the  Councill  upon  his  submission,  in  answer 
to  which  I did  acquaint  you  that  as  soon  as  Ml  Morris 
should  doe  the  one,  I would  immediately  doe  the  other, 
but  he  has  been  so  far  from  making  the  least  submis- 
sion, that  he  has  never  come  near  me  since  I received 
your  Lordshipps  commands,  but  among  his  friends  he 
has  bragged  that  he  could  take  his  place  in  the  Coun- 
cill when  he  pleased,  but  that  he  did  not  vallue  that, 
15 


226 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


and  indeed  since  it  appears  what  his  intent  was,  for  he 
has  got  himself  chosen  of  the  Assembly,  and  Morris 
and  the  Quaker  Samuel  Jennings  are  the  two  men  that 
have  hindred  the  Assembly  from  set  ling  a Reuenue,  or 
from  doing  anything  else  this  last  Sessions,  Mr  Morris 
is  the  Man  that  drew  the  Remonstrance,  he  is  the  Man 
that  moved  the  seuerall  heads  in  the  house,  and  caused 
all  the  resolutions  of  the  House  to  be  entred  in  the 
Journalls  Nemine  Contradicente  when  some  Members 
were  absent  and  others  who  were  present  dissented,  as 
several  1 of  them  have  told  me.  In  the  beginning  of 
the  Assembly  when  they  agreed  to  find  out  Grievances 
to  amuse  the  Ignorant  people,  and  squander  away  the 
time,  the  House  resolved  itself  into  a Committee  of  the 
whole  House  to  seek  after  Grievances,  or  rather  to 
receive  the  heads  of  Imaginary  Grievances  the  produce 
of  Mr  Morrisses  peevish  brain,  the  first  step  they  made 
was  to  order  their  Clerk  to  withdraw,  he  told  them  he 
could  not  doe  it  without  a breach  of  his  oath,  that  he 
was  an  Officer  appointed  by  the  Government,  and 
under  an  oath  to  attend  the  service  of  the  House  at  all 
times,  Mr  Morris  told  him  that  he  was  the  servant  of 
the  House,  and  that  the  House  might  doe  what  they 
pleased  with  their  servants,  he  told  Mr  Morris  he  was 
a servant  of  the  Queen,  as  well  as  to  the  House,  and 
that  the  ordering  him  to  withdraw  looked  as  if  he  had 
something  to  say  that  he  was  not  willing  the  Gouv- 
ernor  should  know,  upon  this  they  would  not  suffer 
the  Clerk  to  take  the  Minutes,  but  appointed  one  of 
their  own  Members  to  Act  as  Clerk,  hearing  of  this,  I 
sent  for  the  Clerk  and  told  them  in  a short  speech  how 
Irregularly  they  had  proceeded,  and  aduised  them  to 
take  into  consideration  those  things  I had  recom- 
mended to  them,  in  a few  days  after  they  addressed  to 
me  for  another  Clerk  complaining  against  Mr  Ander- 
son, who  was  then  their  Clerk  for  the  answer  he  had 
given  Mr  Morris,  which  they  pretended  was  given  to 


LORD  CORNBCRY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


22^ 


1707] 


the  House,  Mr  Anderson  was  made  Clerk  to  the  As- 
sembly upon  the  Recommendation  of  severall  of  the 
Councill  and  severall  of  the  Members  of  the  first 
Assembly  even  some  of  those  who  now  are  soe  angry 
with  him,  he  is  an  honest  sober  Man  and  a good 
Christian,  has  behaved  himself  with  unspotted  fidelity 
and  unwearied  dilligence  and  Care  in  his  place,  never- 
theless because  I would  leave  those  Gentlemen  without 
any  excuse  for  their  not  dispatching  the  matters  before 
them,  I did  remove  Mr  Anderson,  and  I put  in  one  Mr 
Pinhorn  son  to  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill, 
and  one  against  whom  they  can  have  noe  objection 
that  I know  of,  nevertheless  they  would  not  suffer  him 
.to  serve  as  Clerk  to  the  Committee  of  the  whole  house, 
but  made  one  of  their  own  Members  Act  as  Clerk, 
which  can  be  for  noe  other  reason  but  because  they 
would  not  have  me  know  what  they  were  doing,  they 
proceeded  in  the  same  manner  they  had  done  before, 
and  thinking  they  had  found  out  something  to  accuse 
me  of,  they  sent  for  severall  persons  in  Custody  of 
their  Sergent  at  Arms  and  examined  them  upon  oath, 
hoping  to  prove  that  a certain  Sum  of  money,  was 
raised  priuately,  and  given  to  me  to  procure  the  disso- 
lution of  the  first  Assembly,  but  when  the  witnesses 
had  said  what  the}  could,  they  found  it  would  not 
answer  their  expectation,  then  M'  Morris  who  was 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  whole  House, 
tendred  an  Oath  to  Captain  John  Bowne  one  of  the 
Members,  Captain  Bowne  told  him,  he  had  noe  Power 
to  Administer  an  Oath  to  him,  and  therefore  he  would 
not  take  it,  upon  this,  the  House  expelled  Captain 
Bowne,  and  then  went  on  in  making  such  Votes  as 
they  thought  fit,  out  of  which  they  framed  their 
Remonstrance,  to  which  I made  an  answer,  to  which 
I beg  leave  to  referr  your  Lordshipps. 

Now  I have  acquainted  you  with  what  the  Assembly 
of  New  Jersey  have  done,  I must  beg  your  Lordshipps 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


23S 


[1707 


soe  fan*  to  stand  my  friends  with  the  Queen,  that  I 
may  have  leave  to  take  such  measures  to  obtain  satis- 
faction from  those  Gentlemen,  for  the  extrauagant 
Iniury  they  have  done  me,  as  the  law  will  allow,  this 
I hope  will  not  appear  unreasonable,  and  therefore  I 
take  the  liberty  to  ask  your  fauour  in  this  matter. 

Upon  this  occasion  1 think  myself  obliged  to  observe 
some  things  to  your  Lordshipps,  and  perticularly  with 
respect  to  the  Assembly s in  these  Parts,  the  Queen  is 
pleased  to  command  those  that  have  the  Honour  to 
serue  her  Majesty  as  Gouuernors  of  Provinces,  to  call 
and  hold  Generali  Assemblys,  the  Gounernor  in  obedi- 
ence to  those  commands  Issues  Writts  to  call  an 
Assembly,  which  meets  at  the  time  appointed,  the 
Gounernor  after  they  have  chosen  a Speaker  acquaints 
them  what  he  thinks  necessary  or  proper  to  be  done 
that  Sessions,  the  Assembly  does  not  like  some  of  the 
things  proposed  to  them,  (though  perhaps  they  are 
proposed  to  them  by  the  Queens  immediate  Command) 
they  trifle  away  their  time,  severall  Members  obtain 
leave  to  goe  into  the  Country  upon  their  Private 
affairs,  the  House  by  that  means  grows  thinn,  and 
then  noe  businesse  can  be  done,  soe  the  Gouuernor  is 
forced  to  adjourn  the  Assembly  to  another  time,  when 
that  time  comes  the  Members  being  resolved  not  to  doe 
what  is  required,  the  Maior  part  of  the  Members  don’t 
appear,  soe  there  can  be  noe  Assembly,  noe  support 
can  be  had  for  the  Gouuernment,  nor  can  any  thing 
else  be  done  for  the  good  of  the  Country,  this  has  been 
the  Case  more  than  once  in  the  Province  of  New  Jer- 
sey, and  perticularly  the  last  Fall  when  the  Assembly 
was  to  have  met  at  Amboy;  it  has  been  said  by  severall 
persons  that  it  is  true  the  Gouuernor  has  a Negative 
Voice,  and  we  can  fit  him  as  well,  for  if  we  don’t  meet 
he  can  have  noe  Assembly,  and  then  nothing  can  be 
done  he  can’t  force  us  to  attend  if  we  have  noe  mind 
to  it,  he  can  but  dissolve  the  Assembly,  and  call  an- 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


229 


other,  most  of  the  same  Men  will  be  chosen  again,  and 
they  will  take  the  same  course;  and  indeed  I must  say 
that  will  be  the  Case  as  long  as  the  Quakers  are 
admitted  to  serve  in  the  Assembly;  I wish  some 
method  might  be  found  to  oblige  the  Members  when 
chosen  to  attend  their  Duty,  it  is  noe  small  charge  to 
me,  and  to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill,  to  attend 
upon  all  occasions  of  the  sitting  of  the  Assembly,  but 
that  we  are  well  contented  with,  but  we  can’t  help 
being  concerned  to  find  our  endeauours  defeated  by  a 
few  obstinate  fellows,  who  would  never  if  they  could 
help  it  be  under  any  Gouuernment  but  their  own ; I 
hope  your  Lordshipps  will  be  pleased  to  consider  this 
matter,  and  fauour  me  with  your  commands  in  it;  In 
Washington’s  Abridgement,  7th  & 8th  of  King  William 
Cap:  34,  relating  to  Quakers,  in  the  7th  paragraph,  it  is 
said,  Noe  Quaker  or  reputed  Quaker  shall  by  virtue  of 
this  Act  be  quallified  to  give  Evidence  in  any  Criminall 
Cause,  to  serve  on  any  Jury,  or  bear  Office  or  Place  of 
Profit  in  the  Gouuernment.  for  this  reason  I have  not 
suffered  any  Quakers  to  have  any  Office  in  the  Gouu- 
ernment of  New  York,  but  in  the  Gouuernment  of 
New  Jersey  the  Queen  was  pleased  to  command  me  to 
admit  such  Quakers  as  were  capable,  into  any  Office, 
in  obedience  to  which,  I have  put  severall  of  them  into 
imployments,  but  I have  always  found  them  obstinate, 
unwilling  to  be  ruled,  never  forwarding,  but  still  inter- 
rupting businesse;  What  Quakers  would  be  had  they 
the  Power  in  their  hands,  and  which  they  are  very 
fond  of,  appears  uery  plainly  in  the  Province  of  Pen- 
siluania,  where  noe  Man  can  tell  what  is  his  own,  or 
how  to  get  what  is  Justly  his  due;  and  now  I am  men- 
tioning Pensiluania  give  me  leave  to  mention  to  your 
Lordshipps  an  accident  that  hapned  in  those  parts 
lately,  when  I was  last  at  Burlington,  I thought  it  a 
proper  time  to  Visit  the  lower  parts  of  the  Province  of 
New  Jersey  in  Order  to  the  doing  whereof  I Ordered  a 


230  LORD  cornbury's  administration.  [1707 

Sloop  to  be  got  ready  to  carry  me  to  Cape  May  which 
is  about  a hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  Burlington 
downe  the  River  Delaware,  and  is  the  extreamest  part 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  Southward,  I proceeded 
on  my  Voyage  as  farr  as  six  Miles  below  Salem,  which 
is  about  eighty  Miles  below  Burlington  and  there  meet- 
ing with  contrary  winds,  I put  into  Salem,  where  I 
stayed  severall  days  Wind  bound,  it  seems  during  the 
time  I was  at  Salem,  Collonell  Evans  was  beginning  to 
erect  a Fort  at  Newcastle,  and  had  got  an  Act  of  As- 
sembly past  in  the  lower  Countys  for  the  laying  a duty 
of  half  a pound  of  powder  a Tonn,  upon  all  Vessells 
that  should  sail  by  Newcastle,  and  the  intent  of  that 
Fort  was  to  make  them  pay  it,  a Sloop  belonging  to 
some  of  the  Chief  Quakers  of  Philadelphia  being  laden, 
and  ready  to  sail  for  Barbados,  came  downe  the  River, 
when  she  was  within  a Mile  of  Newcastle  the  Custome 
house  Officer  went  off  and  went  on  board  the  sloop, 
demanded  of  the  Master  his  Register,  and  his  Clearing, 
which  he  readily  produced,  the  Officer  told  him  he 
must  come  to  an  Anchor,  upon  that  one  of  the  Owners 
told  the  Custome  house  Officer  that  the  Wind  being 
fair  it  would  be  a great  preiudice  to  them  to  be  stoped 
a whole  tide,  especially  considering  that  Northerly 
winds  are  very  seldom  to  be  had  in  the  spring,  the 
Officer  told  him  if  he  would  not  come  to  an  anchor  he 
would  carry  away  his  Register  which  he  had  in  his 
hand,  upon  that  the  Owner  snatcht  the  Register  out 
of  the  Officers  hand,  upon  which  the  Officer  went  into 
his  boat  and  went  on  shore,  the  sloop  continued  her 
course,  and  when  she  came  over  against  Newcastle, 
Collonell  Evans  ordered  a Gun  to  be  fired  at  her,  which 
was  done,  a second  Gun  was  fired  which  went  over 
her,  but  the  sloop  made  all  the  sail  she  could,  in  order 
to  get  down  to  Salem,  Collonell  Evans  took  his  boat 
and  pursued  the  sloop,  and  ordered  the  Custom  house 
Officer  to  doe  the  same,  which  he  did,  but  the  wind 


1707]  lord  corxbury’s  admixistraYiox.  231 

blowing  pretty  fresh,  the  sloop  out  sailed  them,  and 
came  to  an  anchor  under  the  Stern  of  my  sloop,  the 
Owners  hoping  that  would  have  protected  them  it 
being  in  another  Gouuernment,  but  Collonell  Evans 
went  on  board  the  sloop  and  after  having  given  the 
Master  a great  deale  of  ill  language  and  struck  him.  he 
forced  him  into  his  boat  and  sent  him  to  Newcastle  to 
Prison,  in  the  mean  time  Collonell  Evans  had  sent  his 
Navall  Officer  to  Salem  where  I was,  (which  is  three 
Miles  up  a Creek)  to  complain  to  me  of  the  Master,  and 
to  tell  me  that  he  was  coming  himself  after  him  for 
the  same  purpose,  I stayed  something  above  an  hour 
expecting  his  coming,  but  seeing  he  did  not  come,  by 
the  complaint  one  of  the  Owners  had  made  to  me,  I 
did  believe  he  intended  to  carry  away  the  sloop,  which 
I was  resolued  not  to  suffer,  soe  I ordered  my  boat  to 
be  got  ready,  and  Collonell  Xngoldsby  offering  to  goe, 
I directed  him  to  bring  up  the  Master,  and  to  order  the 
Master  of  my  Sloop,  not  to  suffer  the  other  sloop  to 
stirr,  but  if  any  body  offered  to  weigh  her  anchor,  to 
fire  upon  them,  he  went  downe  and  found  Collonell 
Evans  on  board  the  Philadelphia  sloop,  he  told  Collonell 
Evans  that  he  had  done  very  ill,  and  that  he  would  doe 
very  well  to  satisfie  me  if  he  could,  upon  that  Collonell 
Evans  came  to  Salem  with  Collonell  Ingoldsby,  as  soon 
as  he  came  into  the  house  where  he  was  he  desired  to 
speake  with  me  in  private,  I took  him  into  my  Cham- 
ber, there  he  made  great  complaints  of  the  Master  of 
that  sloop,  I asked  him  where  the  Master  was,  he  told 
me  he  had  sent  him  to  Newcastle,  I asked  him  by  what 
Authority  he  had  seized  a Man  in  my  Gouuernment, 
he  said  it  was  upon  the  water  X told  him  that  was  as 
bad,  for  that  he  had  noe  Commission  from  my  Lord 
High  Admirall,  and  consequently  had  noe  Power  upon 
that  River,  I told  him  I would  not  give  one  word  of 
answer  to  his  complaints  till  he  produced  the  Master, 
and  the  Officer  that  had  dared  to  carry  him  avray,  he 


232  LORD  corxbury’s  admixistratiox.  [1707 

told  me  he  was  sensible  he  had  committed  an  Error, 
that  he  would  immediately  send  for  the  Master,  but 
begged  I would  not  insist  upon  hailing  the  Officer, 
because  he  had  done  nothing  but  by  his  Order,  he  did 
send  for  the  Master,  who  was  brought  to  me  in  few 
hours,  then  I heard  Collonell  Evans,  the  Master,  and 
the  Owners,  and  I found  upon  hearing  of  them  all, 
that  the  only  complaint  Collonell  Evans  had  to  make 
was  their  passing  by  Newcastle  without  paying  the 
powder  money,  I thought  that  was  not  cause  sufficient 
to  stop  the  Master  soe  I dismissed  him  in  Order  to 
proceed  on  his  Voyage  which  he  did  the  next  day: 
Afterwards  I told  Collonell  Evans  I thought  it  was 
very  odd  that  the  Assembly  of  Newcastle  should  pre- 
tend to  taxe  the  Queen’s  Subiects  for  trading  from  one 
Province  to  another,  and  both  under  the  Queen’s  im- 
mediat  Gouuernment,  and  where  the  People  of  New- 
castle have  nothing  to  doe,  for  if  all  Vessels  must  pay 
powder  money,  then  sloops  trading  from  New  York  to 
Burlington,  and  those  trading  from  Cape  May,  and 
Salem,  to  Burlington,  must  pay  though  they  have 
nothing  to  doe  with  Newcastle,  I told  him  farther  that 
if  I heard  he  made  any  of  our  sloops  pay,  I would  soon 
get  some  Guns  downe  to  Elsingburgh  point  (which  is 
a place  where  the  Svredes  had  formerly  a fort)  and  is 
below  Newcastle,  and  would  make  every  Vessell  that 
went  up  the  River  or  downe  pay  three  times  as  much 
as  he  did,  soe  how  he  will  treat  our  people  I cant  yet 
tell  I ask  your  Lordshipps  pardon  for  this  long  digres- 
sion, and  return  to  New  Jersey  where  the  Quakers 
who  are  in  the  Assembly,  have  declared  they  will  never 
pass  any  Militia  Act,  they  say  they  will  have  noe 
Militia,  but  that  will  not  be  in  their  power  nor  choice, 
though  the  people  are  refractory  enough,  and  indeed 
we  want  a good  Act  regulating  the  Militia  in  all  these 
parts  very  much,  but  I despair  of  getting  any  such  Bill 
passed  in  New  Jersey  as  long  as  the  Quakers  are 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURV’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


233 


allowed  to  seme  in  the  Assembly;  Your  Lordshipps 
will  perceive  by  the  Remonstrance  the  Assembly 
thought  fit  to  give  me,  that  they  say.  It  is  notori- 
ously known  that  many  considerable  sums  of  money 
have  been  raised  to  procure  the  dissolution  of  the  first 
Assembly,  to  get  clear  of  the  Proprietors  Quit  Rents, 
and  to  obtain  such  Officers  as  the  contributors  should 
approve  of.  This  House  has  great  reason  to  believe 
the  money  soe  gathered  was  given  to  the  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  and  did  induce  him  to  dissolve  the  then  Assem- 
bly &a;  as  for  all  the  rest  of  their  Remonstrance  I begg 
leaue  to  referr  your  Lordshipps  to  my  answer,  which 
I intreat  you  to  believe  is  true  in  every  part,  and  to 
the  truth  whereof,  I will  make  oath  whenever  your 
Lordshipps  shall  require  it,  but  the  words  abovemen  - 
tioned  seem  of  soe  extraordinary  a nature  that  I think 
myself  obliged  (besides  what  I have  said  on  that 
subiect  in  my  answer,)  to  assure  your  Lordshipps  that 
if  any  such  sums  of  money  have  been  raised,  I am 
intirely  a stranger  both  to  the  raising,  and  the  disposall 
of  it,  if  I had  been  soe  greedy  of  money,  I should  have 
taken  the  1200£  that  was  offered  me  to  perswade  me 
to  passe  a certain  long  Bill  the  Assembly  offered  to  me 
the  first  Sessions  of  the  first  Assembly,  which  offer  I 
reiected  with  contempt;  then  for  the  Proprietors  Quit 
Rents,  it  is  soe  fan*  from  what  they  say  that  euery 
Sessions  I have  recommended  it  to  the  Assembly  to 
prepare  a Bill  or  Bills  to  settle  the  Rights  of  the  Pro- 
prietors, which  certainly  I should  not  have  done,  had  I 
taken  money  to  get  clear  of  the  Proprietors  Quit  Rents, 
as  they  call  it,  as  for  obtaining  Officers,  [offices?]  as  I 
know  of  noe  contributors,  soe  I am  sure  noe  Man  has 
made  any  application  to  me  upon  that  subiect,  and  I 
doe  assure  your  Lordshipps  that  I haue  not  put  in  one 
Person  into  the  Commission  of  the  Peace,  nor  Millitia 
in  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  but  such  as  have  been 
recomended  to  me  by  some  one,  or  more  of  the  Gen- 


234 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


tlemen  of  the  Councill,  or  the  Collonells  of  the  Regi- 
ments,. this  being  truth  as  most  certainly  it  is,  I hope 
their  saying  they  have  great  reason  to  believe  the 
money  was  given  to  me,  will  have  no  credit  with  your 
Lordshipps;  I did  intend  to  have  sent  the  Journall  of 
the  House  by  this  opportunity,  but  the  Clerk  could  not 
get  it  ready  in  soe  little  time;  If  I have  been  any  thing 
harsh  in  my  answer  to  the  Assembly,  I hope  you  will 
be  pleased  to  consider  the  Provocation  I had,  which  I 
believe  is  without  parralel;  I am  informed  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Councill  are  prepareing  an  Addresse  to  her 
Maiesty  to  inform  the  Queen  of  the  State  and  condition 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey. 

I am  with  great  respect 
My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most 
faith  full  humble  servant 

Cornbury 


Ldi  of  Trade  &c. 


Letter  from  Colonel  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade , about  New  Jersey  affairs. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col:  Doc’ts,  Vol.  V.,  p.  17.] 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  Commissioners 
for  Trade  & Plantat119 

Right  Honble 

[Extract.] 

I have  dayly  expected  to  have  heard  that  Mr  Penn 
hath  already  surrendered  up  the  Government  [of 
Pennsylvania]  to  the  Queen,  or  at  least  that  it  is  done 
by  some  other  persons  for  whenever  the  Government 
is  in  the  Crown,  all  these  confusions  will  be  at  an  end, 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  235 

provided  the  Quakers  are  excluded  from  having  the 
Administration  of  the  Government  in  their  hands, 
and  now  that  this  great  truth  may  more  plainly  appear 
to  your  Lordships  I beg  leave  to  show  of  how  perni- 
tious  a consequence  the  infectious  humour,  temper 
and  evill  principles  of  the  Quakers  are  of,  in  relation 
to  Government  give  me  leave  to  mind  your  Lordships 
of  that  daring  insolent  Act  past  by  the  assembly  of 
Pensyl vania  which  directly  struck  at  the  Queens  Prerog- 
ative by  disowning  her  orders  and  Instructions,  and 
passing  an  Act  in  opposition  to  it,  this  matter  hath 
been  laid  before  your  Lordships  with  an  address  from 
her  Majesty’s  good  Subjects,  who  are  members  of  the 
Church  of  England  setting  forth  the  very  great  inju- 
ries and  hardships  which  they  labour  under  by  that 
Act,  all  which  hath  been  fully  considered  by  your 
Lordships,  and  as  I am  inform’d,  the  proper  resolu- 
tions taken  thereon  and  therefore  will  not  take  up 
more  of  your  Lordships  time  in  making  any  further 
remarks  or  comments  on  it,  but  proceed  to  show  the 
evill  effects  and  consequences  of  the  Quakers  insolent 
opposition  and  affronting  the  Queens  Authority,  and 
this  will  appear  to  your  Lordships  by  the  severall 
steps  taken  by  the  same  sect  of  People,  the  Quakers  of 
her  Majesty’s  Province  of  New  Jersey,  his  Excellency 
my  Lord  Cornbury  having  issued  out  writts  for  calling 
an  Assembly  the  first  step  taken  by  Samuel  Jennings 
the  head  of  them,  was  his  declaring  that  he  would  no 
longer  serve  the  Queen  as  one  of  her  Councill  his  pre- 
tence was,  that  he  could  not  bear  the  charge  of  it,  but 
the  true  reason  was,  that  it  was  not  in  his  power  in 
that  station  to  doe  so  much  mischief  to  the  Queens 
interests,  as  he  might  do  in  the  Assembly  into  which 
he  was  sure  to  be  chosen  and  in  order  to  haveing  him- 
self and  others  of  his  principals  brought  into  the 
house  of  Burgesses,  there  was  effectuall  care  taken  10 
possess  the  whole  Country,  that  all  their  libertys  and 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


236 


[1707 


property's  lay  at  stake,  & depended  on  their  choice  of 
the  Assembly  they  had  prepared  a list  as  such  as  they 
thought  fitt  for  that  purpose  and  assured  the  people, 
that  if  they  would  choose  of  them  that  then  there 
should  be  no  money  raised  for  the  support  of  Govern  - 
ment,  nor  any  Militia  Act  past,  this  was  to  powerful] 
a baite  and  produced  the  desired  effect,  those  very  men 
were  chosen  in  the  Western  Division  and  the  same 
methods  taken  by  Collonel  Morris  and  his  faction  in 
the  Eastern  Division  but  for  the  more  effectuall  carry- 
ing on  this  design  the  heads  of  the  faction  in  both  Di- 
sions  agreed  on  a most  scandalous  libell,  of  which  they 
got  a vast  number  printed,  and  took  care  to  disperse 
them  through  the  whole  Province,  perhaps  there  was 
never  a more  scandalous  libell  published,  a copy  of 
which  with  the  severall  steps  taken  by  his  Excellency 
to  discover  the  authors  & publishers,  I must  refer  to 
my  Lord  who  I presume  sends  it  by  this  opportunity 
And  now  after  all  these  indirect  means  used  it  is  not 
strange,  that  they  gained  their  end  on  an  Assembly 
for  their  purpose  who  att  the  day  appointed  mett,  and 
then  to  show  that  they  were  resolved  answer  the  end 
for  which  they  were  chosen,  satt  above  a month,  in 
all  which  time  they  did  not  make  the  least  stepps 
towards  the  preparing  any  act  for  the  support  or  de- 
fence of  the  Government,  but  their  whole  time  was 
taken  up  in  matters  that  did  not  concern  them.  The 
service  of  the  Queen  or  that  of  the  Country  yc  partic- 
ulars I cannot  refer  to  the  Journal  of  the  house  since 
the  greatest  part  of  what  they  did  was  secreted  not 
only  from  the  Clerk  of  the  Assembly,  but  from  sever- 
all of  their  own  members  and  whilst  the  house  was 
busy  in  doing  what  was  nothing  to  the  purpose.  Mr 
Jennings  & Coll:  Morris  with  the  assistance  of  two  or 
three  others  was  very  hard  at  work  hatching  the  most 
scandalous  paper,  that  ever  I saw  in  my  life.  T will 
not  presume  so  far  on  your  Lordships  time  as  to  make 


LOUD  COJIN  liCUY’s  ADMIN  JSTUATJON. 


1707 1 


-m 


remark s on  the;  several  1 parts  of  it  sine*;  that  will  bo 
done;  by  all  the  Gentlemen  of  her  Majesty’s  Council 
for  that  Province,  who  arc  the  moat  proppor  Judges, 
and  therefore  will  ref  err  to  their  address  but  cannot  let 
it  pans  without  asserting  th us  much  concerning  it, 
tfiat  it  in  false  malitious  unjust  and  most  barbarously 
rude  they  have  treated  his  Excellency  most  inhumanly 
without  th«j  least  regard  to  Ids  Character  under  the 
Queen  nor  have  they  so  much  as  considered  him  as  a 
Gentleman,  but  loaded  him  with  scandalls,  which  they 
very  well  know  are  false  and  cannot  be  proved,  but  I 
think  my  Lord  ought  to  be  very  easy  under  his  bar- 
barous usage  since  they  have  not  spared  her  most 
Sacred  Majesty,  but  have  charged  her  with  injustice 
but  there  is  still  behind  something  of  a more  perni 
cious  consequence  than  all  this  which  J think  myself 
obliged,  to  lay  before  your  Lordships;  you  have  seen 
that  the  Government  of  Pensylvania  have  thrown  off 
all  respect  <Sc  regard  for  any  of  the  Queens  order  or 
instructions,  which  appears  to  your  Lordships,  by 
making  an  Act  of  Assembly  directly  opposite  and  con- 
trary to  them  were  this  evill  confined  to  that  Govern 
ment;  only,  J should  not  give*  your  Lordships  any 
trouble;  about  it,  but  the  infection  of  this  grand  evill 
is  spread  over  all  the  Queen’s  Governments,  and  that  it 
hath  taken  deep  rooting  in  that  of  the*  Jerseys  will  ap- 
pear to  your  Lordships,  by  my  acquainting  ye>u  that 
I was  present  in  Council!  when  his  Excel lemey  having 
occasion  to  summon  Coll:  Morris  Sarnue;!  Jennings  & 
several  I others  e>f*  the;  heads  of  that  faction  his  l/>rej- 
ship  was  pleased  in  order  to  the  giving  them  satis- 
f action  about  some  matters  which  they  clamoured 
against,  to  produce  her  Majesty’s  instructions  to  them, 
out  of  which  he;  ordered  some;  particular  clauses  to  he; 
reael,  thinking  fas  I suppose)  that  they  would  he;  con- 
cluded by  them,  but  it  liad  quite  a contrary  effect  for 
Col  toned  Morris  at  the;  mouth  of  them  all  told  his 


238  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [170? 

Lordship  that  the  Queens  order  & instructions  did  not 
concern  or  effect  them,  nor  should  it  conclude  them 
any  further  than  they  were  warranted  by  law,  this 
bold  assertion  occasioned  some  debate,  but  after  all 
they  were  firm  in  this  their  pernicious  principles,  and 
now  your  Lordships  may  plainly  see  what  these  men 
do  aim  at,  and  what  the  consequence  must  quickly  be, 
if  not  prevented,  for  having  thrown  off  all  respect  and 
obedience  to  the  Queens  orders  and  instructions;  by 
what  must  they  be  Governed  for  the  Laws  of  England 
they  will  not  allow  of  but  when  it  suits  their  interests, 
or  to  serve  a turn;  when  it  is  contrary  to  their  wild 
notions  then  it  shall  not  oblige  them  unless  the  Queen 
will  allow  them  to  send  representatives  to  sitt  in  the 
Parliament  of  Great  Brittain,  so  that  there  is  but  one 
way  more  to  Govern  those  men,  which  must  be  by  laws 
of  their  own  making  but  in  this  they  are  safe  enough 
since  they  resolve  to  make  no  laws,  but  such  as  shall 
lessen  and  impower  [impair?]  the  Queens  prerogative 
and  Authority  and  suit  with  there  own  humours  if 
her  Majestys  Governours  will  not  consent  to  such 
laws,  then  they  will  give  no  money  to  support  either 
Governour  or  Government  but  all  shall  sink,  this  is 
the  gam  which  they  now  resolve  to  play  in  Pensyl- 
vania,  New  Jersey  and  New  York  the  first  of  these 
had  not  given  the  last  tax,  but  as  a bribe  to  have 
the  Act  pass’d  for  affronting  and  destroying  the 
Queens  orders,  the  Assembly  of  the  Jersey  resolve 
to  give  no  money  unless  they  can  be  freed  from 
a Militia,  and  have  an  Act  to  ruin  half  the  people 
of  the  Province,  and  should  they  gain  all  this,  yet 
they  will  not  give  enough  to  support  the  Govern- 
ment, and  that  itself  shall  be  under  such  circumstances 
and  limitations  as  to  answer  no  end;  the  Revenue  of 
New  York  expires  very  quickly  in  May  1709,  & the}' 
resolve  never  to  renew  it,  this  is  the  discourse  in  every 
mans  mouth,  but  some  of  the  most  considering  men 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


239 


will  say,  that  perhaps  they  will  give  money  for  the 
support  of  Government  but  it  shall  be  only  from  year 
to  year,  and  disposed  of  as  they  think  fit,  so  that  the 
Governor  and  all  the  officers  of  the  Government  shall 
depend  on  them  for  bread,  and  then  farewell  to  the 
Queens  interest,  thus  I have  laid  before  your  Lordships 
the  plain  and  true  state  of  these  Provinces,  which  do 
require  your  serious  considerations  and  a speedy 
effectual!  remedy,  were  your  Lordships  on  the  spot, 
to  hear  and  observe  it  would  alarm  you,  I am  sure  it 
gives  me  many  uneasy  thoughts,  I will  not  presume 
to  propose  the  remedy  of  these  great  and  growing 
evills,  without  your  Lordships  leave  and  direction,  but 
I am  sure  something  ought  to  be  done  and  that  quickly 
I do  most  humbly  begg  your  Lordships  pardon  for  the 
freedome  I take,  since  it  proceeds  from  a most  hearty 
zeal  for  the  Queens  Service,  I am  now  hastening  to 
visit  all  the  Northern  Governments  from  whence  I 
shall  find  subject  matter  enough  to  give  your  Lord- 
ships  the  trouble  of  another  letter  from  which  I hope 
your  Lordships  will  excuse  and  pardon 

R*  Honb,e  Your  Lordships  most 

faithful  & obed*  Servant 

Robt  Quaky 

Philadelphia  June  28,  1707. 


Address  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  New  Jersey 
to  the  Queen , congratulating  her  on  the  success  of 
Her  Majesty’s  Arms. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  20.] 

A Congratulatory  Address  from  the  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  Lieu*  Governor  and  Council  of  New 
Jersey  to  Her  Majesty  on  the  Success  of 


240 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


Her  Maj^s  Armies  in  1706,  referred  to  in 
the  Lord  Cornbnry’s  Letter  of  the  20^  of 
July  1707.1 


To  the  Queen's  Most  Excellent  Majesty 

The  Humble  Address  of  the  Governor , Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor and  Covncil  of  her  Majestys  Province  of 
Nova  Cesarea  or  New  Jersey  in  America. 


Wee  your  Majestys  most  Dutifull  and  Loyall  Sub- 
jects the  Governor  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Councill 
of  this  Your  Majestys  Province  of  Nova  Cesarea  or 
New  Jersey  Hauing  with  great  Joy  received  from  one 
of  your  Majestys  Principal  Secretarys  of  state  the 
happy  news  of  the  glorious  successes  of  your  Majestys 
Arms  in  conjunction  with  those  of  your  Allies  against 
the  common  Ennemy  & espetially  of  that  memorable 
Victory  obtained  at  the  Battle  of  Ram’elies  under  the 
Command  and  by  the  extraordinary  courage  and  con- 
duct of  his  Grace  the  Prince  & Duke  of  Marlborough 
Humbly  beg  leave  to  throw  our  selves  at  your  Majestys 
Roy  all  feet  to  Congratulate  those  great  and  happy 
Successes  which  are  intirely  owing  under  God  to  your 
Majestys  extraordinary  Zeale  for  redeeming  Europe 
from  Tirany  & opression  the  rescuing  the  true  Relig- 
ion from  the  Invasions  of  Antichrist  & procuring  for 
your  People  a lasting  & durable  peace  & wee  earnestly 
intreat  your  Majesty  to  believe  that  as  we  shall  never 
be  wanting  faithfully  to  discharge  our  dutys  to  the 
best  of  our  Skils  & understandings  in  the  seuerall  Sta- 
tions in  which  your  Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased 
to  place  us  Soe  our  prayers  to  Almighty  God  that  the 
success  of  your  Majestys  Arms  may  increase  dayly 


1 The  letter  refers  principally  to  the  services  of  Captain  Davis  in  attacking  a 
French  Privateer  off  the  coast.  It  is  printed  at  length  in  New  York  Colonial  Docu- 
ments, Vol.  V.,  p.  30. — Ed. 


1707]  LORD  CORNBURtf’s  ADMINISTRATION.  241 

shall  never  be  wanting  That  your  Majesty  may  enjoy 
A long  life  & happy  Reigne  in  this  world  & at  last 
though  very  late  receive  the  Crown  of  eternal  bliss  & 
immortality  are  & constantly  shall  be  the  earnest  and 
fervent  prayers  of  Your  Majestys  most  dutiful  & Lov- 
all  Subjects. 

CORNBURY 
Rich:  Ingoldesby 

George  Descom  [ Deacon]  WM  Pinhorne 
Daniel  Leeds  Wm  Sandford 

Tho:  Revell  Robt?  Quary. 

Ric.  Townley.  Dan:  Coxe. 

Roger  Mompesson. 


The  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Earl  of  Sunderland,  with 
a draft  of  an  Instruction  relative  to  the  attend- 
ance of  the  Members  of  the  several  Councils. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  Plantations  General,  No.  33.  Entry  Book  D.  p.  147.  j 

To  the  R?  Honb:le  the  E!  of  Sunderland. 

My  Lord 

In  obedience  to  Her  Majesty’s  Order  in  Council  of 
the  4th  of  August  Last,  directing  Us  to  prepare  the 
Draught  of  an  Instruction  to  Her  Majesty’s  several 
Governors  in  America,  Requiring  them  to  oblige  the 
Counsellors  in  their  Respective  Govern!*  to  a due  at- 
tendance in  Council.  We  have  prepared  the  same,  and 
herewith  Transmit  them  to  Your  Lordp  for  Her  Maj- 
esty’s Royal  Signature  Accordingly. 

We  Are 

My  Lord,  Your  Lord!8  Most  humble  servants. 
Whitehal  Stamford. 

Octobrthe  23d^  1707.  Herbert. 

Ph:  Meadows. 

Jn?  Pulteney. 


16 


242 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


Circular  Letter. 

Trusty  and  Welbeloved  We  greet  you  well. 
Whereas,  We  are  sensible  that  Effectual  Care  ought  to 
be  taken  to  oblige  the  Members  of  Our  Council,  to  a 
due  attendance  therein,  in  Order  to  prevent  the  many 
Inconveniences  that  may  happen  from  the  want  of  a 
Quorum  of  the  Council  to  transact  business  as  Occasion 
may  Require.  It  is  Our  will  and  Pleasure,  that  if 
any  of  the  Members  of  our  said  Council  shal  hereafter 
wilfully  absent  themselves  when  duly  summon’d,  with- 
out a Just  and  Lawfull  Cause,  and  shal  persist  therein 
after  admonition,  you  suspend  the  said  Counsellors  so 
absenting  themselves  till  Our  further  Pleasure  be 
known,  giving  Us  timely  Notice  thereof:  And  We 
hereby  Will  & Require  you  That  this  Our  Royal 
Pleasure  be  signified  to  the  several  Members  of  Our 

Council  in ... . And  that  it  be  Entred  in  the 

Council  Books  of  Our  said  ...  as  a Standing  Rule.  So 

We  bid  You  farewel.  Given  at  our  Court  at the 

....  Day  of in  the  sixth  Year  of  our  Reign. 

By  Her  Majesty’s  Command. 


Address  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  Lord  Corn- 
bury , replying  to  his  answer  to  their  Remon- 
strance. 

[As  printed  in  Smith’s  Hist,  of  N.  J.,  p.  313.] 

May  it  please  your  excellency  &c 

We,  the  representatives  of  her  majesty’s  province 
of  New  Jersey,  finding  her  majesty’s  subjects  greatly, 
and  as  we  are  very  well  satisfied  with  good  reason, 
aggrieved;  thought  we  could  not  answer  the  trust  re- 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  243 

posed  in  us  by  our  country,  should  we  not  endeavour 
to  get  those  hardships  removed  under  which  they  la- 
bour. 

It  was  needless  to  hunt  after  imaginary  grievances, 
real  ones  in  too  great  nupabers  presenting  themselves; 
and  though  from  you  we  had  miss'd  of  obtaining 
that  relief  that  the  justice  of  our  complaints  intituled 
us  to;  yet  we  do  not  despair  of  being  heard  by  her 
sacred  majesty,  at  whose  royal  feet  we  shall  in  the 
humblest  manner  lay  an  account  of  our  sufferings; 
and  however  contemptible  we  are,  or  are  endeavour- 
ed to  be  made  appear,  we  are  persuaded  her  majesty 
will  consider  us  as  the  representatives  of  the  province 
of  New-Jersey,  who  must  better  know,  what  are  the 
grievances  of  the  country  they  represent,  than  a gov-, 
ernor  can  do,  who  regularly  ought  to  receive  informa- 
tions of  that  kind  from  them;  and  we  do  not  doubt 
that  glorious  queen  will  make  her  subjects  here  as 
easy  and  happy  as  she  can. 

When  we  told  your  excellency,  we  had  reason  to 
think  some  of  our  sufferings  were  very  much  owing 
to  your  excellency’s  long  absence  from  this  province, 
which  rendered  it  very  difficult  to  apply  to  your  lord- 
ship  in  some  cases  that  might  need  a present  help, 
we  spoke  truth;  and  notwithstanding  all  your  excel- 
lency has  said  of  a months  or  twelve  weeks  in  a year, 
and  the  weekly  going  of  a post;  we  cannot  be  per- 
s waded  to  believe,  that  nine  months  and  upwards  in 
a year,  is  not  a long  absence,  especially  when  the  seal 
of  the  province  is  carried  and  kept  out  of  the  govern- 
ment all  that  time;  and  the  honourable  colonel  In- 
goldsby,  the  lieutenant  governor,  so  far  from  doing 
right,  that  he  declined  doing  any  act  of  government 
at  all;  whether  he  governs  himself  by  your  excel- 
lency’s directions  or  not,  we  cannot  tell;  but  sure  we 
are,  that  this  province  being  as  it  were  without  gov- 
ernment for  above  nine  months  in  a year,  we  must 


244  LORD  CORNBURY}S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

still  think  it  a great  grievance,  and  not  made  less  so 
by  carrying  the  seal  of  the  province  to  New- York, 
and  laying  her  majesty’s  subjects  under  a necessity  of 
applying  from  the  remotest  part  of  this  province,  for 
three  parts  of  the  year  and  better,  to  your  excellency 
at  fort  Ann,  in  New- York,  from  which  place  most  of 
the  commissions  and  patents  granted  during  your 
excellency’s  absence,  ftre  dated,  (by  what  authority 
we  shall  not  enquire)  notwithstanding  a lieutenant 
governor  resides  in  the  province,  and  is  by  her  maj- 
esty’s commission  impowered  to  execute  the  queen’s 
letters  patents,  and  the  powers  therein  contained, 
during  yor  excellency’s  absence  from  this  province  of 
New- Jersey;  without  which  powers  given  and  duly 
executed,  a lieutenant  governor  is  useless  and  an  un- 
necessary charge;  and  we  cannot  think,  that  her 
sacred  majesty,  who  honoured  that  gentleman  with 
so  great  a mark  of  her  royal  favour,  as  giving  him  a 
commission  for  lieutenant  governor  of  New- Jersey, 
did  at  the  same  time  inhibit  him  from  executing  the 
powers  therein  exprest. 

Things  are  sometimes  best  illustrated  by  their  con- 
traries; and  perhaps  the  most  effectual  way  to  con- 
vince the  world,  that  this  complaint  is  frivolous  and 
untrue,  as  by  your  excellency  alledged,  would  be,  for 
your  excellency  to  bring  the  seal  of  the  province  of 
New- York  to  Burlington,  keep  it  there,  and  do  all 
the  acts  of  government  relating  to  the  province  of 
New- York,  at  Burlington,  in  New- Jersey,  for  above 
three  fourths  of  a year,  and  let  the  lieutenant  gover- 
nor reside  at  New- York  during  that  time,  without 
doing  any  act  of  government,  adjourn  their  assemblies 
on  the  very  day,  or  day  before  they  are  to  meet,  that 
they  may  not  lose  the  advantage  of  travelling  to 
New  York,  from  the  remotest  part  of  that  province, 
and  at  a time  when  it  cannot  be  done  without  the 
utmost  prejudice  to  their  affairs;  it’s  hardly  probable 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  245 

they  would  be  pleased  under  such  an  administration, 
notwithstanding  the  ease  of  informing  your  excel- 
lency every  week  by  post  of  any  emergency  that 
might  happen. 

We  are  apt  to  believe,  upon  the  credit  of  your  ex- 
cellency’s assertion,  that  there  may  be  a number  of 
people  in  this  province  who  will  never  be  faithful  to, 
or  live  quietly  under  any  government,  nor  suffer  their 
neighbours  to  enjoy  any  peace,  quiet  nor  happiness, 
if  they  can  help  it;  such  people  are  pests  in  all  gov- 
ernments, have  ever  been  so  in  this,  and  we  know  of 
none  who  can  lay  a fairer  claim  to  these  characters 
than  many  of  your  excellency’s  favorites. 

What  malice  and  revenge  were  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  condemned  persons,  we  don’t  know;  we  never 
heard  of  any  till  now,  and  can  hardly  be  persuaded 
to  believe  it’s  possible  there  should  be  in  both  the 
instances. 

It  is  not  impossible,  there  might  be  malice  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  woman  who  was  condemned  for 
poisoning  her  husband;  there  not  being  (as  is  said) 
plain  proof  of  the  fact,  but  it  was  proved  she  had 
attempted  it  before  more  than  once;  and  there  were 
so  many  other  concurring  circumstances  as  did  induce 
the  jury,  who  were  of  the  neighbourhood  (and  well 
knew  her  character)  to  find  her  guilty,  and  it  is  hard- 
ly probable  their  so  doing  was  an  act  of  malice. 

The  woman  who  murdered  her  own  child,  did  it  in 
such  a manner,  and  so  publickly,  that  it  is  unreason- 
able to  suppose  there  could  be  any  malice  in  the  pro- 
secution of  her,  and  we  cannot  think  (notwithstand- 
ing your  excellency’s  assertions)  that  you  can  or  may 
believe  there  was.  This  woman  was  a prisoner  in 
the  sheriff’s  custody  for  breach  of  the  peace,  and 
going  about  some  of  the  houshold  affairs  the  sheriff 
employed  her  in,  with  a knife  in  her  hand,  her  child 
who  was  something  fro  ward,  followed  her  crying; 


246 


LORD  OORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[170? 


upon  which  the  mother  turned  back  to  it  and  cut  it’s 
throat;  but  not  having  cut  it  deep  enough,  the  child 
still  followed  her  all  bloody  and,  crying,  0!  mother 
you  have  hurt  me;  the  mother  turned  back  a second 
time,  and  cut  it  effectually,  and  then  took  it  up  and 
carried  it  to  the  sheriff  or  his  wife,  at  whose  feet  she 
laid  it:  How  far  such  a wretch  is  intitled  to  the  queen’s 
favour,  her  majesty  can  best  tell,  when  she  is  made 
acquainted  with  the  fact;  but  sure  we  are,  she  never 
gave  your  excellency  the  power  of  pardoning  wilful 
murder:  Whether  your  excellency  has  or  has  not  re- 
prieved them,  you  best  know,  and  are  only  accounta- 
ble to  her  majesty  for  your  procedures  therein;  tho’ 
we  have  too  much  reason  to  believe,  the  favourable 
opinion  your  excellency  has  so  publickly  expressed  of 
her,  has  been  a great  reason  to  induce  her  to  make 
her  escape,  which  she  has  done. — We  thought  it  our 
duty,  humbly  to  represent  that  matter  to  you  excel- 
lency’s consideration,  and  had  reason  to  be  apprehen- 
sive of  the  judgments  of  almighty  God,  whose  infi- 
nite mercy  has  hitherto  suspended  the  execution  of 
his  justice,  notwithstanding  that  great  provocations 
have  been  given  him,  by  impiety,  prophaneness  and 
debauchery,  under  the  mask  of  a pretended  zeal  for 
his  glory,  and  love  for  his  church:  It  is  not  our  busi- 
ness to  enter  into  religious  controversies  ; we  leave 
them  to  divines,  who  ought  best  to  understand  things 
of  that  nature,  and  who  may  perhaps  inform  us  what 
is  meant  by  denying  the  very  essence  of  the  saviour 
of  the  world. 

We  cannot  yet  be  persuaded,  that  an  innocent  per- 
son should  pay  fees;  what  the  practice  in  England 
is,  we  did  never  enquire,  but  believe,  that  persons 
acquitted  by  a grand  jury,  do  not  pay  those  extrava- 
gant fees  they  are  made  to  pay  here  ; we  did  not 
govern  ourselves  by  the  practice  there,  but  the  unrea- 
sonableness of  the  thing ; and  your  excellency  does 


17071  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  247 

grant,  that  what  we  say  is  in  some  measure  to  be 
allowed,  were  the  juries  in  this  country  such  as  they 
ought  to  be;  we  hope  they  are,  and  our  experience 
has  not  convinced  us,  that  persons  who  under  pre- 
tence of  conscience  refuse  an  oath,  have  yet  no  regard 
for  the  oaths  they  take,  as  your  excellency  says.  The 
temptations  to  resentment  prove  often  too  powerful, 
and  irresistably  engage  us  in  unbecoming  heats,  and 
when  the  characters  of  men  are  written  with  pens 
too  deeply  dipt  in  gall,  it  only  evinces  a want  of  tem- 
per in  the  writer.  Our  juries  here  are  not  so  learned 
or  rich  as  perhaps  they  are  in  England;  but  we  doubt 
not  full  as  honest.  We  thought  the  only  office  for 
probate  of  wills  was  at  Burlington;  but  your  excel- 
lency has  convinced  us,  that  it  is  wherever  your 
excellency  is,  and  consequently  may  be  at  York, 
Albany,  the  east  end  of  Long-Island,  or  in  Con- 
necticut, or  New-England,  or  any  place  more  remote 
should  your  excellency’s  business  or  inclination  call 
you  there;  which  is  so  far  from  making  it  less  a 
grievance,  that  it  rather  makes  it  more  so;  and  not- 
withstanding those  soft,  cool,  and  considerate  terms 
of  malicious,  scandalous  and  frivolous,  with  which 
your  excellency  vouchsafes  to  treat  the  assembly  of 
this  province;  they  are  of  opinion,  that  no  judicious 
or  impartial  men,  will  think  it  reasonable,  that  the 
inhabitants  of  one  province  should  go  into  another 
to  have  their  wills  proved,  and  take  letters  of  admin- 
istration at  Fort  Ann,  from  the  governor  of  New- 
York,  for  what  should  regularly  be  done  by  the 
governor  of  New -Jersey  in  Jersey,  to  which  place 
all  the  acts  of  government  relating  to  New- Jersey, 
are  limited  by  the  queen’s  letters  patents  under  the 
great  seal  of  England;  and  when  your  excellency  is 
absent  from  New- Jersey,  to  be  executed  by  the  lieu- 
tenant governor  ; and  by  the  said  letters  patents  not 
the  least  colour  of  authority  is  given  to  your  excel- 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


*248 


lency,  to  do  any  act  of  government  relating  to  New- 
Jersev,  any  where  but  in  Jersey;  nor  is  there  any 
instruction  (that  we  know  of)  contradicting  the  said 
letters  patents  any  where  upon  record  in  this  prov- 
ince, to  warrant  your  excellency’s  conduct  in  that 
affair  : If  this  be  not  cause,  and  just  cause  of  com- 
plaint, we  do  not  know  what  is;  we  are  inclined  to 
believe,  the  province  of  New- York  would  think  it  so, 
were  they  to  come  to  Amboy  or  Burlington,  to  prove 
wills,  &c. 

We  do  not  think,  that  what  we  desire,  is  an  inva- 
sion of  the  queen’s  right  ; but  what  her  majesty, 
without  infringment  of  her  prerogative  royal,  may 
assent  to;  and  their  late  majesties  of  blessed  memory, 
did  by  their  governor  colonel  Fletcher,  assent  to  an 
act  made  in  New- York,  in  the  year  1692,  entitled, 
‘An  act  for  the  supervising  intestates  estates , and 
regulating  the  probate  of  wills , and  granting  letters 
of  administration f by  which  the  court  of  common 
pleas  in  the  remote  counties  of  that  province,  were 
impowered  to  take  the  examination  of  witnesses  to 
any  will  within  their  respective  counties,  and  certify 
the  same  to  the  secretary’s  office;  and  the  judges  of 
the  several  courts  in  those  remote  counties,  impowered 
to  grant  probates  of  any  will,  or  letters  of  administra- 
tion, to  any  person  or  persons,  where  the  estate  did 
not  exceed  £.  50;  what  has  been  done  there  may  with 
as  much  reason  be  done  here,  without  sacrificing  the 
queen’s  prerogative  royal  to  the  humours  or  caprices 
of  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever. 

It  is  the  general  assembly  of  the  province  of  New- 
Jersey,  that  complains,  and  not  the  quakers,  with 
whose  persons  (considered  as  quakers)  or  meetings  we 
have  nothing  to  do,  nor  are  we  concerned  in  what 
your  excellency  says  against  them;  they  perhaps, 
will  think  themselves  obliged  to  vindicate  their  meet- 
ings from  the  assertions  which  your  excellency  so 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  249 

liberally  bestows  upon  them,  and  evince  to  the  world 
how  void  of  rashness  and  inconsideration  your  excel- 
lency’s expressions  are,  and  how  becoming  it  is  for 
the  governor  of  a province  to  enter  the  lists  of  con- 
troversy, with  a people  who  thought  themselves 
entitled  to  his  protection  of  them  in  the  enjoyment  of 
their  religious  liberties;  those  of  them  who  are  mem- 
bers of  this  house,  have  begged  leave  in  behalf  of 
themselves  and  their  friends,  to  tell  the  governor, 
they  must  answer  him  in  the  words  of  Nehemiah  to 
Sanballat,  contained  in  the  8th  verse  of  the  6th 
chapter  of  Nehemiah,  viz.  There  is  no  such  thing 
done  as  thou  sayest , but  thou  feignest  them  out  of 
thine  own  heart. 

We  are  so  well  assured  the  fact  is  true,  that  the 
secretary’s  office  is  kept  at  Burlington  only,  that  we 
still  are  of  opinion  it  is  a grievance,  for  the  reasons  we 
have  assigned;  the  proprietors  records  has  not  any 
thing  to  do  with  the  secretary’s  office,  but  is  an  office 
wholly  belonging  to  the  proprietors,  and  altogether  at 
their  disposal;  and  is  not  a secretary’s  office  kept  at 
Amboy,  either  as  far  as  the  nature  of  the  thing  re- 
quires or  can  admit  of,  or  any  way  at  all. 

And  as  the  assemblies  and  courts  sit  alternately  at 
Amboy  and  Burlington,  so  it  is  highly  reasonable  the 
secretary’s  office  should  be  kept  alternately  also  at  both 
these  places,  or  by  deputy  in  one  of  them,  and  may  be 
very  well  done  without  making  two  secretaries. 

Both  this  and  the  rest  of  our  complaints,  are  not 
with  design  to  amuse  the  people,  but  are  just  and 
reasonable;  and  we  believe,  will  by  the  people  be 
thought  to  be  grievances  till  they  are  redressed;  who 
can  no  more  think  it  reasonable,  that  all  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  eastern  division  should  come  to  the  office 
at  Burlington,  than  that  all  the  western  division  should 
go  to  Amboy. 

We  are  still  of  opinion,  the  grant  we  complain  of  is 


250  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

against  the  statute  we  mentioned,  because  it  is  exclu- 
sive of  others,  and  to  the  prejudice  of  the  publick.  It 
can  never  be  thought  reasonable  to  prohibit  any  body 
to  cart  their  own  goods,  or  any  body’s-else,  as  by  virtue 
of  that  grant  has  been  done;  and  not  only  in  the  road 
from  Amboy  to  Burlington,  but  in  the  road  from 
Shrewsbury;  and  a patent  may  as  well  be  granted  to 
keep  horses  to  hire,  by  which  a man  may  be  hindred 
to  ride  his  own:  It  is  destructive  to  the  common  rights 
of  men,  and  a great  grievance,  and  we  had  reason  to 
endeavour  to  get  it  redressed. 

It’s  true,  a certain  convenience  for  transportation  of 
goods,  is  no  doubt  of  great  use,  and  the  profit  that 
accrues  by  such  undertakings,  is  the  motive  that  in- 
duces any  persons  to  be  at  the  charge  of  them,  and 
providing  fit  carriages  for  that  end,  and  of  ascertain- 
ing the  times  and  prices  of  carrying;  and  the  more 
providers  of  such  carriages,  the  more  certain  and 
cheap  the  transportation,  and  freest  from  imposition; 
and  consequently  the  fewer  carriages,  the  less  certain 
and  dearer,  and  the  persons  under  a necessity  of  using 
them  more  subject  to  be  imposed  upon  by  the  carrier; 
now  whether  granting  by  which  others  are  excluded, 
waving  the  unlawfulness  of  it,  be  a means  to  increase 
the  number  of  the  undertakers  in  that  kind,  or  to 
lessen  them,  and  confine  those  who  have  any  occasion 
to  transport  goods,  to  give  such  price  as  he  that  has 
the  patent  thinks  fit  to  impose,  we  leave  to  all  men 
of  common  sense  to  judge;  and  if  experience  may  be 
admitted  to  determine  that  matter,  it  is  plain  that 
transportation  of  goods,  both  by  land  and  water,  is 
dearer  than  it  was  before  the  granting  of  that  patent : 
It’s  true,  the  certainty  was  not  so  great  as  now;  for 
now  we  are  certain  that  a man  cannot  with  his  own 
carts  carry  his  own  goods,  but  that  if  he  does  they 
will  be  seized;  and  if  that  be  one  of  the  conveniences 
which  the  wise  people  in  Europe  think  of  absolute 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


251 


necessity,  we  shall  think  it  no  irony  to  be  called  wiser, 
in  differing  from  them,  and  calling  them  monopolies 
as  they  are,  and  prejudicial  to  trade,  and  especially 
that  between  York  and  Amboy,  Burlington  and 
Philadelphia;  which  did  not  owe  it’s  beginning  to 
your  excellency’s  patent,  but  was  begun  long  before 
your  excellency  had  any  thing  to  do  with  New- Jersey, 
and  in  all  probability  had  much  more  encreased  were 
it  not  for  that  patent;  and  we  believe  whenever  the 
gentlemen  of  the  law  will  give  your  excellency  their 
true  opinion  of  it,  you  will  not  be  long  in  doubt 
whether  ’tis  a monopoly  or  not:  We  thought  it  a 
monopoly,  as  we  do  still,  and  a grievance,  as  is  also 
both  that  and  other  grants  made  by  your  excellency  at 
fort  Ann  in  New- York,  for  any  thing  in  Jersey. 

Your  excellency  has  neither  by  birth  nor  acquisi- 
tion, a right  to  the  sovereignty  of  New- Jersey;  nor 
have  you  any  power  of  governing  the  queen’s  subjects 
here,  but  what  her  majesty  is  pleased  to  grant  you  by 
her  letters  patents,  under  the  great  of  England;  by 
which  letters  patents  the  powers  therein  contained,  are 
limited  to  that  country,  which  was  formerly  granted 
by  king  Charles  the  second,  under  the  name  of  Nova 
Caesaria  or  New-Jersey,  and  which  has  since  been  sub- 
divided by  the  proprietors,  and  called  East  New-Jersey, 
and  West  New-Jersey,  and  which  her  majesty  is  pleased 
to  reunite  under  one  entire  government,  viz:  “ The 

divisions  of  East  and  West  New-Jersey,  in  America; 
and  in  case  of  your  excellency’s  death,  or  absence  from 
that  country,  which  was  subdivided  by  the  proprie- 
tors, and  called  East  New-Jersey  and  West  New  Jer- 
sey, the  powers  of  government  are  lodged  in  other 
hands.”  Now  either  fort  Ann  and  the  city  of  New- 
York,  is  in  that  country  granted  by  king  Charles  the 
second,  and  sub-divided  by  the  proprietors  thereof,  and 
called  East  New-Jersey  and  West  New-Jersey;  or  your 
excellency  is  absent  from  New  Jersey,  when  you  are 


252  LORI)  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

at  fort  Ann  in  New- York;  that  fort  Ann  is  in  New- 
Jersey,  we  believe,  that  even  your  excellency  will 
think  impracticable  to  -persuade  us  to  do  so  much  vio- 
lence to  our  reason  as  to  believe;  therefore  your  excel- 
lency when  at  fort  Ann,  or  any  where  in  New- York,  is 
absent  from  New- Jersey;  and  what  the  consequence  is 
we  need  not  say,  thinking  the  pretence  of  a power  to 
do  acts  of  government  relating  to  New- Jersey,  at  fort 
Ann,  in  New-York,  to  be  so  manifestly  absurd,  as  to 
need  nothing  further  to  be  said  against  it. 

There  is  nothing  more  common  in  the  statutes  than 
the  establishing  fees,  and  we  are  of  opinion  that  all 
fees  have  been  established  by  act  of  parliament;  and 
indeed  it  seems  to  us  unreasonable  they  should  be 
established  by  any  other  authority;  for  if  a governor, 
either  with  or  without  his  council,  can  appoint  what 
sums  of  money  shall  be  paid  for  fees,  he  may  make 
them  large  enough  to  defray  the  charge  of  govern- 
ment, without  the  formality  of  an  act  of  assembly,  to 
raise  a revenue  for  the  necessary  support  of  the  same; 
and  if  it  does  not  come  up  to  the  taxing  of  the  queen’s 
subjects,  without  their  consents  in  assembly,  we  are 
to  seek  what  does. 

We  cannot  think  the  clause  of  your  excellency’s 
instructions,  which  we  have  recited,  to  be  so  foreign 
to  the  matter  of  fees,  as  your  excellency  says  it  is; 
for  the  enforcing  the  payment  of  fees  by  any  authority 
but  that  of  the  assembly’s,  is  taking  away  a man’s 
goods  otherwise  than  by  established  or  known  laws, 
except  the  act  of  a governor  and  council  be  a law, 
which  we  think  is  not,  nor  never  intended  by  the 
queen  it  should;  nor  do  we  think,  by  the  instructions 
your  excellency  mentions,  you  are  to  establish  fees; 
but  only  to  regulate  those  already  appointed,  and  to 
take  care  that  no  exaction  was  used;  but  if  it  did, 
your  excellency  has  convinced  the  world,  that  you  do 
not  think  yourself  bound  by  the  queen’s  instructions, 
but  where  the  law  binds  also. 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  253 

As  in  the  case  of  Ormston,  where  nothing  could  be 
more  positive  than  her  majesty’s  directions;  yet  your 
excellency  did  not  think  yourself  ministerial,  or  by 
not  complying  with  her  majesty’s  orders,  that  you 
accused  the  best  of  queens,  with  commanding  her 
governor  to  do  a thing  which  was  not  warranted  by 
law;  nor  never  enquired,  whether  the  refusing  obedi- 
ence to  her  commands,  was  a fit  return  for  the  many 
favours  she  had  bestowed  upon  you;  but  govern’d 
yourself  in  that  singular  instance  as  near  as  you  could 
by  the  law.  The  seventh  clause  was  not  put  in  to 
arraign  the  queen’s  express  commands  to  your  excel- 
lency: but  to  complain  of  the  great  hardships  her 
majesty’s  subjects  lay  under,  by  your  excellency’s 
putting  the  records  there  mentioned,  into  the  hands  of 
Peter  Sonmans,  who  is  not  the  proprietor’s  recorder, 
nor  had  no  express  command  from  the  queen  to  put 
the  books  into  his  hands;  and  may  in  part  answer  the 
challenge  made  by  your  excellency  in  the  last  part  of 
the  next  foregoing  clause;  for  your  excellency  had 
commanded  the  said  records  to  be  put  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Bass,  the  queen’s  secretary;  upon  which,  appli- 
cation was  made  to  her  majesty,  who  was  pleased  to 
give  an  order  in  favour  of  the  proprietors;  and  with- 
out all  peradventure,  it  was  intended  they  should  be  in 
the  hands  of  the  proprietor’s  recorder,  which  Mr. 
Thomas  Gordon  was  at  that  time,  and  regularly  is 
still,  being  constituted  by  the  majority  of  the  proprie- 
tors in  the  eastern  division,  and  by  your  excellency 
sworn;  mr.  John  Barclay  was  also  by  your  excellency 
sworn,  and  a proclamation  issued  in  his  favour;  since 
which  Mr.  Peter  Sonmans  arrived  from  England,  and 
upon  application  to  your  excellency,  was  by  your 
excellency,  admitted  receiver  general  of  the  quit  rents, 
and  the  proprietors  records  by  your  excellency  put  into 
his  hands;  which,  with  submission,  we  think  could  not 
be  done  regularly  by  your  excellency : For  in  the  first 


254  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

place,  they  were  constituted  by  the  majority  of  the 
proprietors,  whose  servants  they  were,  and  to  whom 
they  were  accountable,  and  to  none  else. 

2.  These  places  were  the  properties  of  Mr  Thomas 
Gordon  and  Mr.  John  Barclay;  and  to  deprive  them  of 
them,  without  due  course  of  law,  is  what  your  excel- 
lency has  no  authority  to  do,  nor  can  have. 

3.  Whether  they  were  made  by  the  greater  or  lesser 
part  of  the  proprietors,  your  excellency  was  no  ways 
concerned,  nor  had  any  right  of  determining  in  the 
favour  of  either  one  or  other,  the  law  being  open  to 
any  who  thought  themselves  aggrieved. 

4.  Those  books  and  records  were  the  properties  of 
the  general  proprietors;  and  if  your  excellency  can 
dispossess  any  proprietor  of  them  (for  Thomas  Gordon 
was  a proprietor)  and  put  them  into  the  hands  of 
another,  you  may  by  the  same  rule  dispossess  any 
one  of  their  goods,  and  give  them  to  who  you  think 
fit,  ahd  any  proprietor  of  their  property,  and  give  it  to 
which  of  the  proprietors  you  think  fit,  as  is  actually 
done  by  your  excellency  in  the  case  of  Sonmans;  and 
was  attempted  with  the  same  violence  in  favour  of  Mr. 
Bass:  It  will  not  be  a sufficient  answer  to  this,  to  say, 
Sonmans  was  proprietor’s  agent;  which  whether  he 
was  or  was  not,  your  excellency  had  no  right  to  deter- 
mine to  any  other  purpose  but  administering  an  oath 
to  him,  after  which  he  was  of  course  to  be  allowed; 
and  so  ought  as  many  as  many  agents  as  the  proprie- 
tors made,  who  were  not  accountable  to  your  excel- 
lency for  any  procedures  in  the  proprietors  affairs,  that 
were  not  unlawful. 

5.  Sonmans  neither  had,  nor  pretended  to  have,  at 
that  time  (whatever  he  has  done  since)  any  right  or 
colour  of  right,  to  be  the  proprietors  recorder,  not  any 
mention  being  made  of  it  in  that  very  lame  commis- 
sion he  had;  and  were  he  to  have  the  top  of  his  pre- 
tences, it  would  but  to  be  deputy  to  a person  in 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  255 

England;  and  whether  he  has  a right  or  not,  is  a great 
question,  and  regularly  only  determinable  at  the 
common  law;  but  your  excellency’s  shorter  method  of 
procedure  saves  disputes  of  that  kind:  If  this  be  acting 
according  to  established  and  known  laws,  not  repug- 
nant to,  but  as  agreeable  as  may  be,  to  the  laws  of 
England;  if  this  be  administering  those  laws  for  the 
preservation  and  protection  of  the  people,  we  would  be 
very  gladly  informed,  what  perverting  of  them  can  be; 
as  to  the  matter  of  fact,  we  aver  it  to  be  truth,  that 
Mr.  Sonmans  did  not  reside  in  the  province,  had  not 
given  security  for  the  keeping  of  those  records,  as  by 
the  queen  is  positively  directed,  they  were  carried  out 
of  the  Eastern  division,  and  were  produced  at  the 
supreme  court  at  Burlington  at  the  time  of  our  com- 
plaint. 

Those  things,  and  that  gentleman’s  character,  are  so 
well  known,  that  it  is  needless  to  offer  any  thing  else 
in  justification  of  that  reasonable  request  we  made, 
that  they  might  be  so  kept  as  her  majesty’s  subjects 
might  have  recourse  to  them,  and  in  the  hands  of  such 
of  whose  fidelity  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt. 

These,  may  it  please  your  excellency,  were  the 
grievances  we  complained  of;  and  they  were  but  a 
small  number  of  many  we  could  with  equal  justice 
remonstrate;  and  which,  notwithstanding  those  soft, 
cool,  and  considerate  terms  of  false,  scandalous,  and 
malicious,  and  other  bitter  invectives  which  your 
excellency  so  often  uses  to  the  representative  body  of 
a country;  we  are  still  of  opinion,  they  are  not  imagi- 
nary, but  real  grievances,  not  false,  but  God  knows  too 
true;  and  which  it  was  our  duty,  in  discharge  of  the 
truth  reposed  in  us,  to  get  redress’d. 

Our  sad  experience  has  convinced  us,  that  our 
endeavours  have  not  met  with  a success  answerable  to 
what  might  reasonably  be  our  expectations,  and  that 
instead  of  redressing  the  grievances  of  the  country, 


256  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

their  number  is  encreased:  Before  we  enumerated 

those  grievances  of  an  higher  nature,  and  attended 
with  worse  consequences,  we  first  said,  the  treatment 
the  people  of  New- Jersey  had  received,  was  very 
different  from  what  they  had  reason  to  expect  under 
the  government  of  a queen  deservedly  famous  for  her 
just,  equal  and  mild  administration;  that  the  hard- 
ships they  endured,  were  not  owing  to  her  majesty, 
who  they  were  well  assured,  would  by  no  means,  make 
any  of  her  subjects  miserable,  nor  continue  their  mis- 
fortunes were  she  acquainted  with  them,  and  in  her 
power  to  give  them  relief;  but  that  the  oppressions 
they  groaned  under,  were  the  mikind  effects  of  mis- 
taken power;  and  what  these  effects  were,  and  who 
the  cause  of  them,  we  proceeded  to  shew;  and  if  the 
instances  we  there  give,  be  true,  it  will  then  appear  to 
the  world,  that  the  expressions  we  have  used,  are  the 
softest  could  be  chosen,  and  very  far  short  of  what  the 
nature  of  the  thing  could  bear,  and  that  these  bold 
accusers  are  a sort  of  creatures  called  honest  men,  just 
to  the  truth  reposed  in  them  by  the  country,  who  will 
not  suffer  their  liberties  and  properties  to  be  torn  from 
them  by  any  man,  how  great  soever,  if  they  can 
hinder  it. 

And  that  the  reasonableness  of  our  complaints  may 
appear  the  plainer,  we  shall  consider  what  your  excel- 
lency has  said  in  answer,  and  leave  it  to  our  superiors, 
and  to  all  just  and  impartial  men,  whether  we  are  not 
a people  the  most  abused  of  any  of  her  majesty’s  sub- 
jects. 

As  to  the  first  instance,  your  excellency  does 
acknowledge  the  fact  to  be  true,  and  offers  the  follow- 
ing reasons  to  justify  your  conduct  to  the  council  of 
proprietors:  The  first  is,  that  by  her  majesty’s  direc- 
tions you  are  to  allow  of  all  such  agents  as  the  general 
proprietors  shall  appoint,  such  agents  qualifying  them- 
selves by  taking  such  oaths  as  the  queen  is  pleased  to 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  25? 

direct,  and  no  other;  that  no  persons  under  the  name 
of  a council  of  proprietors,  have  ever  tendered  them- 
selves to  take  such  oaths;  consequently  they  are  not 
capable  of  acting  as  agents. 

2.  That  the  council  of  proprietors  are  a people  pre- 
tending to  act  by  a power  derived  from  certain  persons 
who  have  no  power  to  grant,  and  that  this  is  a truth, 
viz.  that  they  are  a people  pretending  to  act  by  a 
power  derived  from  certain  persons,  who  had  no  power 
to  grant,  your  excellency  is  satisfied;  besides  other 
reasons,  by  this  in  particular,  that  the  assembly  have 
voted  to  put  the  records  into  the  hands  of  Peter  Son- 
mans,  to  be  a grievance;  whereas  their  not  qualifying 
themselves  is  a greater  grievance.  To  set  this  matter 
in  a true  light,  it  will  not  be  improper  to  produce  the 
words  of  the  instructions;  which  are  as  follows:  “You 
are  to  permit  the  surveyors  and  other  persons  appointed 
by  the  ’forementioned  general  proprietors  of  the  soil  of 
that  province,  for  surveying  and  recording  the  surveys 
of  lands  granted  by  and  held  of  them,  to  execute 
accordingly  their  respective  trusts:  And  you  are  like- 
wise to  permit,  and  if  need  be,  to  aid  and  assist  such 
other  agent  or  agents,  as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  said 
proprietors  for  that  end,  to  collect  and  receive  the  quit 
rents,  which  are  or  shall  be  due  unto  them,  from  the 
particular  possessor  of  any  tracts  or  parcel  of  land  from 
time  to  time;  provided  always,  that  such  surveyors, 
agents,  or  other  officers  appointed  by  the  said  general 
proprietors,  do  not  only  take  proper  oaths  for  the  due 
execution  and  performance  of  their  respective  offices 
and  employments,  and  give  good  and  sufficient  security 
for  their  so  doing;  but  that  they  likewise  take  the  oaths 
appointed  by  act  of  parliament  to  be  taken  instead  of 
the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy;  as  also  the 
test,  and  subscribe  the  ’forementioned  association;  all 
which  you  are  accordingly  to  require  of  them,  and  not 
otherwise  to  admit  any  person  into  any  such  office  or 
1 1 • 


258  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1707 

employment. ” After  the  proprietors  had  surrendered 
their  power  of  government,  relating  to  their  soil,  they 
were  under  a necessity  of  employing  persons,  to  survey 
and  record  the  surveys  of  lands  granted  by  and  held  of 
them;  and  in  the  Eastern  division,  several  quit  rents 
being  due  to  them,  there  was  a necessity  of  having 
one  or  more  agents  to  collect  and  receive  those  rents; 
which  persons  (because  the  crown  intended,  that  the 
proprietors  by  the  surrender  of  their  government, 
should  by  no  means  be  insecure  in  their  properties) 
your  excellency  was  directed  not  only  to  permit  such 
officers  to  be  and  execute  their  respective  trusts,  but 
also  to  aid  and  assist  them,  if  need  were;  and  because 
both  offices  were  places  of  trust,  both  with  respect  to 
the  proprietors  and  the  inhabitants,  it  was  directed, 
that  they  should  take  proper  oaths,  and  give  good  and 
sufficient  security;  and  that  they  who  enjoyed  those 
places  of  trust,  might  be  persons  well  affected  to  the 
present  government,  there  was  especial  care  taken,  to 
direct,  that  they  should  take  the  oaths  appointed  by 
act  of  parliament  to  be  taken,  which  your  excellency 
was  to  require  of  them,  and  not  otherwise  to  admit 
them  to  execute  those  trusts:  From  all  which  we 
observe,  first,  that  no  agents  are  concerned  in  that 
instruction,  but  such  as  were  to  survey  and  record  the 
surveys  of  lands,  and  collect  the  quit-rents. 

2.  That  the  proprietors  were  not  limited  to  employ 
a certain  number  of  agents,  but  might  employ  as  many 
as  they  thought  fit;  all  which  your  excellency  was  to 
aid  and  assist  if  need  were. 

3.  Your  excellency  was  not  to  expect  while  they 
tendered  themselves  to  take  the  oaths  appointed,  but 
to  require  them  to  take  them;  and  upon  their  refusal 
not  to  admit  them;  for  it  was  impossible  they,  or  any 
else,  should  deem  themselves  bound  by  the  queen’s 
instructions  to  certain  performances,  except  such 
instructions  had  been  made  publick,  and  they  made 
acquainted  with  it. 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  250 

Now  in  the  first  place,  your  excellency  never  pub- 
lished any  such  instruction,  nor  ever  did  require  those 
agents  called  the  council  of  proprietors  to  comply  with 
it  by  taking  any  oaths. 

2.  The  council  of  proprietors  are  not  such  agents  as 
the  instructions  mention. 

3.  Were  that  instruction  binding,  your  excellency 
has  by  no  means  com  ply  ed  with  it;  for  the  surveyor 
appointed  by  the  proprietors  of  the  western  division, 
has  several  times  tendered  himself  to  take  and  sub 
scribe  according  to  her  majesty’s  directions,  and  has 
been  refused. 

4.  Mr.  Sonmans,  tho’  a bankrupt,  and  his  powers 
disputed,  admitted  to  keep  the  records  of  the  eastern 
division,  and  that  without  any  security;  and  persons 
who  were  sworn  to  those  places,  and  employed  by  pro 
prietors,  and  a greater  number,  not  only  not  permitted 
to  act,  but  deprived  of  their  places  (with  which  your 
lordship  had  nothing  to  do)  without  a due  course  of 
law,  forceably  by  your  lordship’s  directions. 

Lastly,  the  council  of  proprietors  are  attornies  to 
private  men,  for  the  taking  care  of  their  several  prop- 
erties, and  are  neither  concerned  in  that  instruction, 
nor  bound  by  it;  if  they  were,  we  shall  not  dispute 
how  far  that  instruction  may  be  a law  to  your  lord- 
ship,  but  we  are  sure  ’tis  so  to  no  body  else,  but  where 
the  laws  of  the  land  bind  without  it;  and  if  so,  ’tis  no 
sufficient  warrant  to  destroy  any  man’s  property,  or 
deprive  him  of  the  use  of  it,  without  the  judgment  of 
his  peers;  for  your  lordship  cannot  but  know,  if  you 
do  not,  the  last  clause  of  the  petition  of  right  will  tell 
you,  that  the  queen’s  servants  are  to  serve  her  accord- 
ing to  law,  and  not  otherwise;  and  every  gentleman  of 
the  law  can  inform  your  excellency,  if  he  pleased,  that 
the  queen’s  authority  or  warrant  produced  (if  you  had 
done  any  such  thing)  cannot  justify  the  commission  of 
an  unlawful  act;  which  this  certainly  must  be,  except 


260  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

the  law  provides  that  no  man  must  make  an  attorney 
but  with  your  Lordship’s  approbation:  As  to  the 

second  reason,  to  use  your  excellency’s  expressions,  if 
we  could  wonder  at  any  thing  your  excellency  has 
done,  it  would  be  at  the  reason  your  excellency  gives, 
as  much  as  at  the  action;  it  being  a plain  pretending 
to  a right  of  judging  solely  who  have  a right  to  their 
estates,  and  who  not,  and  according  to  that  judgment 
to  permit  them  to  retain  or  force  them  to  part  with 
their  possessions;  for  in  the  first  place,  that  matter 
was  never  brought  before  your  lordship,  and  what 
information  you  had  (if  you  had  any)  was  private;  and 
we  are  told  no  freeman  can  be  dispossessed  of  his  free- 
hold but  by  judgment  of  his  peers,  or  the  law  of  the 
land;  but  here  is  at  once  a determination,  that  a num- 
ber of  proprietors,  nigh  or  above  nine  tenths  of  the 
whole,  have  no  right  to  grant,  and  accordingly  they 
are  prohibited  taking  up  or  disposing  of  their  lands; 
for  the  council  of  proprietors,  are  all  proprietors  them- 
selves, except  mr.  Morris,  their  president;  and  we 
can’t  see,  but  any  freeman,  or  number  of  freeman  in 
the  province,  may  be  dispossessed  by  the  same 
measures;  for  ’tis  but  your  lordships  saying,  the  per- 
sons they  had  their  lands  from,  had  no  right  to  grant, 
and  then  order  the  possessors  to  make  no  further 
improvements,  nor  to  dispose  of  any  of  their  lands; 
and  thus  conclude  them  without  the  tedious  formality 
of  the  old  magna  charta  way:  and  who  is  hardy  enough 
to  dispute  with  a man  that  commands  two  provinces? 

2.  What  your  excellency  asserts,  with  relation  to 
the  council  of  proprietors,  viz.  that  they  were  persons 
deriving  a power  from  those  who  had  no  right  to 
grant,  is  .what  your  excellency  neither  did,  nor  could 
know;  that  you  did  not  know  it,  nothing  is  more  plain; 
because  your  excellency  some  days  after  your  lordship’s 
answer  to  our  remonstrance,  summoned  some  of  the 
council  of  proprietors  before  yourself  in  council,  and 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  261 

there  asked  them  the  following  questions,  viz.  First, 
who  the  late  council  of  proprietors  were?  Secondly, 
who  were  the  present  council  of  proprietors?  Thirdly, 
who  they  derived  their  powers  from?  Fourthly,  what 
their  powers  were?  By  which  it  appears,  your  excel- 
lency neither  knew  who  the  council  of  proprietors 
were,  wdiat  their  powers  were,  nor  who  they  derived 
them  from;  which  is  very  far  from  knowing  whether 
the  persons  who  gave  them  those  powers,  had  power 
to  grant  or  not;  because  the  deeds  of  what  proprietors 
are  in  this  country,  you  never  did  see;  and  those  that 
are  in  England,  you  could  not  see. 

How  your  excellency  is,  from  our  voting  the  putting 
the  records  into  mr.  Sonmans  hands  to  be  a grievance, 
satisfied  that  the  persons  from  whom  the  council  of  pro- 
prietors derive  their  power,  have  no  power  to  grant;  is 
very  much  beyond  our  poor  capacities  to  understand, 
and  may  perhaps  be  of  the  number  of  those  unanswer 
able  objections  your  lordship  tells  us  of  in  your  answer. 
To  the  next  clause  your  lordship  justifies  your  proceed- 
ings with  the  assemblymen,  as  being  your  duty;  and 
that  what  you  did,  was  by  virtue  of  the  queen’s 
instructions;  how  far  they  will  justify  your  excel- 
lency’s conduct  is  our  next  business  to  speak  to;  but  in 
the  first  place  we  are  obliged  to  your  excellency,  for 
acknowledging  the  matter  of  fact;  which  tho’  notori- 
ously known,  was  omitted  to  be  entered  in  the  journals 
of  this  house,  by  your  excellency’s  faithful  servant, 
mr.  William  Anderson,  late  clerk  of  this  house. 

By  the  queen’s  instructions,  not  the  least  colour  of 
authority  is  given  to  your  excellency,  to  be  a judge  of 
the  qualifications  of  assemblymen,  so  as  to  admit  or 
reject  them;  which  is  not  only  a direct  contradiction 
to. the  very  nature  and  being  of  assemblies,  but  must 
render  the  liberties,  fives  and  properties  of  the  people 
entirely  at  your  excellency’s  disposal;  which  as  her 
majesty  never  intended,  so  without  doubt  she  never 


■m . 


LORD  CORNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


[1707 


did  intend  by  any  instruction  to  make  so  precarious; 
and  how  well  she’ll  be  pleased  at  wresting  her  instruc- 
tions to  authorize  what  we  are  well  satisfied  she  will 
be  very  far  from  countenancing,  time  may  inform  us : 
This  house  could  not  be  so  much  wanting  to  them- 
selves, and  the  province  they  represent,  as  to  omit 
taking  notice  of  a procedure,  which  tends  to  destroy 
the  very  being  of  assemblies,  by  rendering  them  the 
tools  of  a governor’s  arbitrary  pleasure,  and  the 
enemies  instead  of  the  preservers  of  the  liberties  of 
their  country;  and  we  are  well  assured,  that  nothing 
your  excellency  has  said,  will  perswade  the  world  to 
believe,  that  your  excellency  or  any  other  governor, 
has  that  power  you  pretend  to,  or  that  it  can  be  con- 
sistent with  the  liberties  of  a free  people. 

That  there  were  Considerable  sums  of  money  raised; 
that  most  of  them  were  raised  with  intent  and  purpose 
to  give  to  your  lordship,  to  procure  the  dissolution  of 
the  last  assembly,  and  procure  such  officers  as  the  con- 
tributors should  approve  of;  that  in  all  probability  the 
money  so  raised,  was  given  to  your  lordship;  that  the 
assembly  was  dissolved;  that  the  contributors  were 
complied  with  as  far  as  could  be;  that  you  did  receive 
from  doctor  John  Johnston,  two  hundred  pounds,  upon 
the  score  of  the  proprietors  of  the  eastern  division  of 
New- Jersey;  are  such  notorious  truths,  that  it  is  a 
vanity  to  deny  them;  and  will  be  believed,  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  force  of  evasive  arts  to  perswade  to  the  con- 
trary: And  since  we  have  mentioned  doctor  Johnston, 
it’s  not  amiss  to  enquire,  whether  the  services  you 
were  to  do  the  proprietors  were  such  as  your  lordship 
ought,  or  ought  not  to  have  done;  if  they  were  such 
as  you  ought  to  have  done,  you  ought  not  to  have 
taken  money  for  the  doing  of  them ; if  they  were  such 
as  you  ought  not  to  have  done,  much  less  ought  your 
lordship  to  have  taken  money;  and  had  you  not  been 
more  than  ordinarily  concerned  in  those  private  con- 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’.S  ADMINISTRATION. 


263 


tributions,  without  all  peradventure  would  have  used 
all  possible  endeavours  to  have  detected  the  thing,  and 
not  given  those  publick  marks  of  your  favour  to  the 
persons  most  concerned  in  the  persuading  and  procur- 
ing of  them. 

As  to  what  relates  to  the  assembly,  as  your  lordship 
is  not  accountable  to  this  house  for  what  reasons  you 
dissolved  them,  neither  is  this  house  to  your  lordship 
for  their  proceedings;  they  acted  as  became  a house  of 
representatives  in  the  affair  of  Mr.  Gordon,  and  what 
they  did,  was  not  without  your  lordship’s  approbation; 
if  that  could  add  any  thing  to  the  power  they  had:  As 
to  your  excellency’s  reflections  on  private  men,  ’tis 
below  the  representative  body  of  a province  to  take 
any  further  notice  of  them,  than  to  do  that  justice  to 
the  two  worthy  members  of  this  house,  as  to  say.  they 
both  have,  and  deserve  better  characters  than  your 
excellency  gives  them;  and  that  the  humblest  applica- 
tion you  can  make  to  her  majesty  will  never  induce 
her  to  grant  you  a power  to  use  any  means  to  procure 
a satisfaction  but  what  the  laws  allow  of,  without  such 
application:  We  concluded,  by  acquainting  your 

excellency,  that  the  way  to  engage  the  affections  of  a 
people,  was  to  let  them  be  unmolested  in  the  quiet 
enjoyment  of  those  things  which  belong  to  them  of 
right,  and  should  have  dated  our  happiness  from  your 
excellency’s  complying  with  so  reasonable  and  just  a 
desire;  to  which  your  excellency  replied,  that  you 
could  never  answer  taking  advice  from  men,  who  did 
not  know  how  to  govern  themselves,  and  who  have 
always  opposed  the  service  of  the  queen,  and  interest 
and  good  of  their  country:  We  shall  wave  the 

admirable  coolness  of  temper,  and  considerateness  of 
the  reflection;  and  say,  your  excellency  could  hardly 
have  used  plainer  terms,  to  tell  us,  you  will  not  let  us 
be  quiet  in  the  enioyment  of  what  belongs  to  us  of 
right:  and  your  excellency’s  proceedings  since  that,  has 


LORD  COKNBURY  S ADMINISTRATION. 


'♦>4 


[i;o: 


effectually  convinced  the  world,  that  we  have  not  put 
a wrong  construction  on  your  excellency's  expressions. 

Are  not  her  majesty's  loyal  subjects  haul'd  to  goals, 
and  there  he  without  being  admitted  to  bail'  and  those 
that  are  the  conditions  of  their  recognizances  are,  that 
if  your  excellency  approves  not  of  their  being  bailed, 
they  shall  return  to  their  prisons:  several  of  her  majes- 
ty's good  subjects  forced  to  abscond,  and  leave  then- 
habitations.  being  threatned  with  imprisonment,  and 
no  hopes  of  receiving  the  benefit  of  the  law;  when 
your  excellency's  absolute  will  is  the  sole  measure  of 
it : One  minister  of  the  church  of  England,  dragg'd 
by  a sheriff  from  Burlington  to  Amboy,  and  there 
kept  in  custody,  without  assigning  any  reason  for  it. 
and  at  last  haul'd  by  force  into  a boat  by  your  excel- 
lency. and  transported  like  a malefactor,  into  another 
government,  and  there  kept  in  a garrison  a prisoner: 
and  no  reason  assigned  for  these  violent  procedures, 
but  your  excellency’s  pleasure:  Another  minister  of 

the  church  of  England,  laid  under  a necessity  of  leav- 
ing the  province,  from  the  reasonable  apprehensions  of 
meeting  with  the  same  treatment  : no  orders  of  men 
either  sacred  or  civil,  secure  in  their  fives,  their  liber- 
ties or  estates:  and  where  these  procedures  will  end. 
God  only  knows. 

If  these,  and  what  we  have  named  before,  be  acts 
of  mercy,  gentleness  and  good-nature:  if  this  be  doing 
for  the  good,  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  people  of 
this  province:  if  this  be  the  administring  laws  for  the 
protection  and  preservation  of  her  majesty's  subjects; 
then  have  we  been  the  most  mistaken  men  in  the 
world,  and  have  had  the  falsest  notion  of  things:  call- 
ing that  cruelty,  oppression  and  injustice,  which  are 
their  direct  opposites,  and  those  things  slavery,  impris- 
onment and  hardships,  which  are  freedom,  liberty  and 
ease:  and  must  henceforth  take  France.  Denmark,  the 
Muscovian,  Ottoman  and  Eastern  empires,  to  be  the 
best  models  of  a gentle  and  happy  government. 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  265 

Your  excellency  at  last  endeavours  to  persuade  the 
country,  that  the  assembly,  instead  of  protecting  are 
invading  the  liberties  of  the  people;  and  if  we  might 
have  the  liberty  of  using  some  of  your  excellency’s 
cool  and  considerate  terms,  perhaps  the  following 
instances  might  justify  those  expressions;  but  we  leave 
that  to  just  and  impartial  men,  who  no  doubt  will 
apply  them  where  they  are  most  due. 

Your  excellency  asserts  in  the  first  place,  “You 
have  presumed  to  take  the  queen's  subjects  into  the 
custody  of  the  Serjeant  at  arms,  who  are  not  members 
of  your  house;  which  you  can’t  lawfully  do,  and  is 
a notorious  violation  of  the  liberties  of  the  people.” 
Answer:  There  is  nothing  more  known,  than  that  the 
contrary  to  what  your  excellency  says  is  true,  and 
hardly  a session  of  parliament  but  affords  multitudes 
of  instances,  nay,  several  instances  can  be  produced 
during  the  time  of  your  excellency’s  being  in  the  house 
of  commons;  and  what  your  excellency  means  by 
asserting  a thing,  which  every  body  that  knows  any 
thing,  knows  is  not  so,  we  can’t  tell. 

Secondly,  You  have  taken  upon  you  to  administer 
an  oath  to  one  of  your  members,  and  have  expell’d 
him  from  the  house  for  refusing  to  take  an  oath  which 
you  could  not  legally  administer  to  him;  this  is  most 
certainly  robbing  that  member  of  his  property,  and  a 
most  notorious  assuming  to  yourselves  a negative 
voice  to  the  freeholders  election  of  their  representa- 
tives, for  which  there  can  be  no  precedent  found.” 
Answer:  We  never  did  administer  an  oath,  (tho’  we 
think  we  have  power  so  to  do)  what  oaths  were 
administered  were  administered  by  justices  of  the 
peace  before  us:  We  expell’d  that  member  for  several 
contempts;  for  which  we  are  not  accountable  to  your 
excellency,  nor  no  body  else  in  this  province:  We 
might  lawfully  expel  him ; and  if  we  had  so  thought 
fit,  might  have  rendred  him  incapable  of  ever  sitting 


266 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


firor 


in  this  house;  and  of  this  many  precedents  may  be 
produced.  We  are  the  freeholders  representatives; 
and  ho w it's  possible  we  should  assume  a negative 
voice  at  the  election  of  ourselves,  is  what  wants  a little 
explanation  to  make  it  intelligible. 

Thirdly,  ‘‘You  have  arbitrarily  taken  upon  you  to 
command  the  high-sheriff  of  this  county,  to  discharge 
a prisoner  who  was  in  his  custody  at  the  suit  of  one  of 
the  queen's  subjects:  and  he  has  been  weak  enough  to 
do  it,  for  which  he  lies  liable  to  be  sued  for  an  escape, 
whenever  the  gentleman  thinks  fit  to  do  it,  and  from 
which  you  can't  protect  him:  this  is  a notorious  viola- 
tion of  the  right  of  the  subject,  and  a manifest  inter- 
ruption of  justice.”  Answer:  The  person  we  ordered 
to  be  discharged,  was  an  evidence  attending  by  order 
of  the  house,  and  under  the  protection  of  this  house: 
who  were  only  wanting  to  themselves,  in  not  sending 
the  high-sheriff  and  lawyers  to  the  same  place,  for 
daring  to  offer  so  publick  an  affront  to  the  representa- 
tive body  of  a country. 

Fourthly,  “You  have  taken  upon  you  to  appoint 
one  of  your  members  to  act  as  clerk  of  the  committee 
of  the  whole  house,  which  you  have  no  power  to  do. 
Ac.”  Answer:  Your  excelleucy  has  been  so  very  much 
mistaken  in  all  the  foregoing  clauses,  that  we  have 
great  reason  to  believe  you  are  so  in  this:  This  house 
has  always,  till  of  late,  made  their  own  clerks,  and 
your  excellency  cannot  shew  us  any  law  why  we  may 
not  do  it  still,  should  we  think  fit  to  insist  on  it:  We 
have  made  no  encroachments  on  her  majesty's  pre- 
rogative royal,  nor  never  intended  to  do  it.  but  shall  to 
our  utmost,  study  to  preserve,  and  honourably  support 
her  government  over  us,  and  hope  your  excellency  will 
think  it  for  the  service  of  the  queen  to  comply  with 
our  reasonably  desires;  which  will  very  much  encour- 
age us  so  to  do. 

Divers  of  the  members  of  this  assembly  being  of  the 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


267 


people  called  Quakers,  do  assent  to  the  matter  and 
substance,  but  make  some  exception  to  the  stile. 

By  order  of  the  house, 

Sam.  Jenings,  speaker. 

P.  M.  Die  Veneris.  24  Octobris,  1707. 

[The  foregoing  was  tendered  to  the  Governor  through 
a Committee,  on  the  29th  October,  when  he  refused  to 
receive  it,  and  it  was  then  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the 
Journal  of  the  Assembly.] 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury,  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
on  the  affairs  of  New  Jersey 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  30.  | 

Letter  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Board. 

New  York  9br  the  27  1707 

My  Lords 

By  my  Letter  of  the  14l.h  of  8bcr  last  I gave  your  Lord- 
ships  an  Account  of  my  Voyage  to  Albany,  from 
whence  I returned  to  this  place  on  the  12th  the  next  day 
after,  severall  of  the  Members  of  the  Assembly,  and 
some  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill  came  to  towne, 
hut  there  was  not  a sufficient  number  to  make  a House 
till  the  23(1,  at  which  time  I sent  for  them,  and  ac- 
quainted them  what  I thought  was  proper  for  them, 
to  proceed  upon  at  that  time,  withall  telin  them,  that 
if  any  thing  else  occurrd  to  their  thoughts,  fit  to  be 
provided  for  by  a Law,  they  should  always  find  me 
ready  to  receive  any  thing  that  might  be  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Queen,  and  the  good  and  welfare  of  the 
Country,  and  I carefully  avoided  taking  any  notice  to 
them  of  their  Irregularity’s  the  Sessions  before  because 


268  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

I would  not  give  them  the  least  pretence  to  be  ill 
humored,  but  it  seems  they  were  resolved  upon  that 
before  hand,  for  Mr  Morris,  and  Samuell  Jenings  the 
Speaker  had  been  very  busy  during  the  recesse,  which 
was  from  May  to  8l,r  to  perswade  severall  of  the  Mem 
bers  of  the  House  not  to  grant  any  Reuenue,  what 
effect  their  Indeavours  have  had,  your  Lordshipps  will 
perceiue  by  their  votes  of  the  27th  of  8ber.  of  which  I 
herewith  send  you  a Copy,  I did  intend  to  have  sent 
your  Lordshipps  a Copy  of  their  Journall,  but  the  Clerk 
could  not  get  them  ready  yet,  but  I shall  certainly  send 
it  by  the  Mast  fleet  which  is  to  sail  from  Boston  about 
the  middle  of  January.  I dont  know  that  they  pretend 
to  complain  of  any  Grieuances,  but  those  contained  in 
a Remonstrance  which  they  thought  fit  to  give  me  at 
their  first  Sessions  at  Burlington,  to  which  I made  an 
Answer,  both  which  I sent  to  your  Lordshipps,  and 
which  I had  communicated  to  the  Gentlemen  of  her 
Maiestys  Councill,  who  approved  of  it,  before  I gave  it 
to  the  Assembly:  when  I put  an  End  to  the  Sessions  in 
May  last,  before  I dismissed  the  Councill,  I desired  the 
Gentlemen  to  inquire  in  the  severall  Countys  where 
they  dwell,  what  grieuance  (if  any)  the  people  com 
plained  of,  and  to  let  me  know  them,  that  if  In  my 
power  they  might  be  redressed,  at  our  meeting  at  Am- 
boy in  8ber.  I asked  them  if  they  had  inquired  accord- 
ing to  my  desire,  they  told  me  they  had,  and  that  the 
only  complaint  they  met  with  in  the  Country  was, 
that  some  Laws  were  wanting  which  would  be  of  Vse 
to  the  Country,  that  I have  at  the  begining  of  every 
Sessions  recommended  to  the  Assembly  the  passing 
such  Laws  will  appear  by  their  own  Journall,  there- 
fore I hope  I shall  not  be  blamed  for  what  is  not  in  my 
power  to  remedy.  Upon  this  occasiou  give  me  leave 
to  observe,  that  their  refusing  to  settle  a Reuenue  upon 
her  Maiesty.  does  not  proceed  from  the  Want  of  Re- 
dresse  of  Grieuances  soe  much  as  from  their  own  ill 


1707]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  269 

natures,  for  it  appears  by  their  own  Vote,  that  if  all 
their  Imaginary  Grieuances  were  redressed,  they  would 
raise  a Reuenue  but  for  one  year,  though  Iliad  by  your 
Lordshipps  commands  demanded  it  for  one  and  twenty 
years.  It  is  very  plain  to  me  that  as  long  as  her  Mai- 
esty  is  pleased  to  allow  the  Quakers  to  sit  in  the  Assem- 
bly of  that  Prouince  Noe  Reuenue  will  be  setled,  I can 
proue  by  severall  good  Witnesses  that  severall  of  the 
topping  Quakers,  and  perticularly  Samuell  Jennings 
have  frequently  said  that  since  the  Queen  would  have 
the  Gouernment,  she  might  send  a Gouernor  when  she 
pleased  they  would  keep  him  poor  enough,  and  indeed 
they  will  make  their  words  good,  for  I have  now  made 
three  Journeys  into  New  Jersey  since  the  Act  which 
granted  a Revenue  for  two  years  is  expired,  and  those 
Journeys  are  generally  pretty  chargeable.  Your  Lord- 
shipps were  pleased  to  direct  me  not  to  intermeddle  with 
the  quallifications  of  the  Members  of  the  Assembly 
which  Orders  I have  punctually  observed,  but  now  I am 
obliged  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  unlesse  some 
Method  is  prescribed,  to  inquire  into  the  Qualifications  of 
Members  returned  to  serve  in  Generali  Assembly,  the 
Queens  Additionall  Instruction  to  me  will  be  of  noe 
effect;  because  as  this  House  is  quallified  the  Ringleaders 
among  them  don’t  inquire  if  the  other  Members  are 
quallified  according  to  the  Queens  Instructions,  but 
whether  they  will  Join  with  them  to  refusing  to  give 
a Reuenue  if  soe,  then  noe  matter  whether  they  are 
quallified  according  to  the  Queens  Instructions  or  not, 
the  Queens  is  pleased  to  direct  that  noe  person  shall  be 
capable  of  being  chosen,  and  afterwards  of  sitting  as  a 
Member  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  but  such  as 
have  a thousand  acres  of  land  in  their  own  right,  or 
are  worth  five  hundred  pounds,  now  to  my  certain 
knowledge  some  have  sat  these  two  last  Sessions’s, 
who  have  noe  land  in  New  Jersey  in  their  own  right, 
and  are  not  worth  five  hundred  pounds,  but  because 


270  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

they  were  zealous  in  opposing  the  setting  a Reuenue 
were  very  good  Members,  therefore  I humbly  conceive 
that  it  will  be  necessary,  that  some  Method  may  be 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  Qualifications  of  Members 
to  be  returned  to  serue  in  Generali  Assembly  in  the 
Prouince  of  New  Jersey,  but  this  and  the  Method  for 
doing  it  I humbly  submit  to  your  Lordships  better 
Judgments,  there  is  one  thing  more  which  I beg  your 
directions  in,  which  is  this,  M1  Byerley  in  this  Province 
of  New  York,  and  Mr  Moore  a Minister  in  the  Prouince 
of  New  Jersey  have  lately  set  up  a Notion,  that  if  1 
send  any  order  from  New  York  into  New  Jersey,  relat- 
ing to  the  Affairs  of  New  Jersey  it  is  of  noe  Force,  and 
ought  not  to  be  obeyed,  because  it  is  given  at  New 
York,  and  soe  the  like  of  any  Order  given  in  New  Jer- 
sey relating  to  New  York.  Now  if  it  be  her  Maiesty’s 
pleasure  that  it  should  be  soe,  I am  well  satisfied,  but 
give  me  leave  to  say  it  will  sometimes  interupt  busi- 
nesse,  for  if  I am  at  Burlington,  and  the  Gentlemen  of 
the  Councill  of  New  York  send  to  me  for  any  Direc- 
tions upon  any  accident  that  may  happen,  I must  return 
into  the  Prouince  of  New  York  (which  is  between  fifty 
and  sixty  miles)  to  return  an  answer  that  may  be  of 
force  on  the  other  side  if  I am  at  Albany  and  the  Lieu- 
tenant Gouernor  sends  to  me  upon  any  occasion  in 
which  he  has  a mind  to  have  directions  from  me,  I 
must  come  a hundred  and  fifty  miles  into  New  Jersey 
to  give  an  Answer  that  may  be  of  force,  and  indeed  I 
can  not  see  what  Inconveniency  can  attend  the  giving 
Orders  in  one  Prouince,  and  sending  them  into  another, 
however  I intreat  I may  have  your  Lordshipps  direc- 
tions in  this  matter,  that  I may  conform  myself  to 
them;  I have  adiourned  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey 
to  the  2d  day  of  April  next,  I will  farther  adjourn  them, 
unlesse  I have  the  happinesse  to  hear  from  your 
Lordshipps  before  that  time.  I have  not  received  one 
letter  from  your  Lordshipps  now  near  twelve  months. 


1707]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  271 

I could  wish  I had  directions  concerning  the  Union, 
which  I hear  is  proclaimed  in  the  West  Indies,  but  I 
have  noe  Orders  yet  which  makes  me  a little  uneasy, 
for  fear  any  Scotch  Vessell  should  come  in,  as  soon  as 
I receive  them,  they  shall  be  punctually  obeyed  by 
Just  as  I was  going  to  seale  up  this  letter  a Gentle- 
men Just  come  from  Connecticut  informs  me  that 
Collonell  Winthrope  is  dead,  and  that  the  people  haue 
chosen  M1  Saltonstall  who  was  Minister  at  New  Lon- 
don, to  be  their  GouernOr. 

My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most  faithfull  humble  servant 

CORNBURY 


Letter  from  Colonel  Robert  Quary  to  the  Lords  of 

Trade. 

IFrom  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  5,  p.  30.] 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  Commissioners 
for  Trade  and  Plantations 

Rl  Hon1 'll  [Extract.] 

I have  often  represented  to  your  honrs  the  unhappy 
circumstances  of  her  Majesty’s  Provinces  on  North 
America,  who  are  ruined  in  their  Trade  harass’d  and 
destroyed  by  a handfull  of  people,  for  the  French  are 
not  more  than  three  thousand  effective  men  in  all  the 
parts  of  Canada,  and  Port  Royall,  whereas  the  Queen 
hath  more  then  Eighty  thousand  men  in  her  severall 
Provinces,  which  are  able  to  eat  up  all  the  French, 
and  yet  this  handfull  of  men  wth  ther  conduct  will  in 
time  if  not  prevented  ruin  us  all,  I have  represented 


272  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  [1707 

the  true  state  of  this  affair  to  your  Lordships  very 
fully  in  severall  memorialls,  to  which  I cannot  add  but 
am  sure  that  if  some  effectual  means  be  not  used  this 
Warr,  to  remove  the  French,  it  will  be  too  late  after- 
wards. 

I will  not  presume  further  on  your  Lordshps  time  by 
inlarging  on  this  subject  but  with  your  honors  leave 
return  to  the  Governments  of  New  Yorke,  and  New 
Jersey,  neither  of  which  places  have  taken  the  proper 
methods  of  raising  a fund  for  the  support  and  defence 
of  the  Country  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  hath 
hitherto  had  some  regard  to  the  safety  of  their  Fron- 
tiers and  support  of  Government,  but  not  so  effectuall 
as  to  answer  the  end,  prhaps  they  may  better  consider 
the  state  of  affairs  at  them  next  meeting  but  as  for 
the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  I much  fear  they  will 
not  do  anything  either  for  the  Queens  service  or  the 
Country,  in  respect  to  its  defence  or  support,  especially 
so  long  as  they  are  influenced  by  three  or  form  men 
amongst  them,  they  sate  at  Amboy  in  October  last, 
but  would  do  nothing,  but  past  a vote  that  they  would 
raise  no  money  till  their  grievances  were  redrest  and 
then  but  for  one  year,  what  their  grievances  are  will 
appear  to  your  Lordships  by  the  inclosed  remonstrance 
of  theirs,  to  which  his  Excellency  hath  given  an 
answer;  Your  Lordships  will  find  that  the  Queens 
Instructions  are  part  of  their  Grievances,  I am  very 
sure  that  it  is  impossible  to  satisfy  or  please  the  turbu- 
lent uneasy  spirits  of  two  or  three  men  in  that  Assem- 
bly, who  would  sacrifice  the  happiness  and  quiet  of 
the  whole  country  to  their  private  resentments,  re- 
venge, and  malice.  I assure  your  Lordships  y*  I have 
no  difference  or  the  least  prejudice  to  any  of  these 
but  what  I say  is  the  opinion  of  almost  all  that  know 
these  men  nay  there  are  many  that  will  give  this 
Character  of  these  men,  who  at  the  same  time  will 
warmly  justify  their  proceedings  in  Assembly,  by 


1707]  LORD  CORNBURpS  ADMINISTRATION.  273 

reason  that  they  think  they  reap  the  benefit  of  it  in 
not  paying  any  money  towards  the  support  of  Govern- 
ment or  being  under  any  regulation  of  a Militia,  these 
are  powerful  motives  for  their  choosing  such  men  into 
the  Assembly,  As  for  Mr  Samuel  Jennings  and  the 
rest  of  the  Quakers,  they  are  driving  at  the  same 
game  acted  in  Pennsylvania  by  their  Friends  there, 
who  are  resolved  to  allow  no  prerogative  of  the 
Crown  nor  any  powr  in  a Governour  but  will  have  all 
power  lodg’d  in  themselves,  as  I have  represented  to 
your  honrs  in  my  former,  and  therefore  since  their 
principles  and  practices  are  such,  I think  they  are  in- 
consistent with  Government,  and  not  to  be  intrusted 
with  it,  I doe  most  humbly  presume  to  mind  your 
Lordships  that  this  growing  evil  and  mischief  requires 
a speedy  remedy  else  I fear  will  spread  over  the  whole 
Continent  so  that  in  time  if  not  prevented  the  Assem- 
bly s of  America  will  find  work  enough  for  your  honbl  c 
Board  to  reduce  them  to  reason  or  keep  them  within 
the  bounds  of  it,  to  dispute  the  Queens  prerogative  in 
her  instructions  of  Government  to  refuse  the  raising- 
such  a revenue  as  may  support  her  Government,  to 
neglect  the  settling  a Militia  for  the  defence  of  the 
Queens  Provinces,  to  libell,  slight  and  affront  her 
Governours,  are  such  steps  as  ought  to  be  taken  notice 
of  in  time,  for  feat-  they  should  goe  further,  the  due 
consideration  of  all  which  is  most  humbly  submitted 
to  your  Lordships  wisdom  and  Judgement  by 
R1  Honble 

Philadelphia  Your  Lordships  most 
Jan.  the  10.  170J  faithful  & obed*  Serv1 

Robert  Quary. 


18 


LORD  CORNBUEYS  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1708 


>74 


Letter  from  Lewis  Morris  to  the  Secretary  of  State , 
transmitting  various  documents  explanatory  of 
the  difficulties  in  Xew  Jersey. 

[From  N.  Y.  OoL  Doer's.  YoL  V.  p.  33  ] 

Lewis  Morris,  Esq,  to  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Right  Hon*1* 

I was  entrusted  by  the  Assembly  of  Xew  Jersie  to 
transmit  you  a letter  from  the  Speaker,  a petieon  from 
that  house  to  the  Queene:  a remonstrance  made  to  his 
Excellency  my  Lord  Combury.  and  some  affidavits 
taken  before  them.  All  which  I sent  by  severall  con- 
veyances and  they  allso  come  with  this  with  an  adi- 
tion  of  what  has  been  done  since,  which  is  a reply 
made  by  that  House  to  an  answer  of  his  Lordships  to 
them. 

I did  not  transmit  his  Loi*dship‘s  answer  because  I 
had  no  directions  from  the  Assembly  to  do  it.  and 
because  I did  supose  he  would  take  that  care,  being 
what  he  vallued  himselfe  very  much  upon,  but  I 
believe  consideration  has  abated  that  good  opinion  he 
had  of  it  when  the  transports  of  his  passion  were 
recent,  and  perhaps  has  been  a means  of  hindring  its 
coming  to  yom*  hands,  or  of  making  those  alterations 
without  which  he  could  not  but  know  he  would  before 
so  competent  a judge,  very  much  arraigne  himselfe  in 
his  assertions  about  the  powers  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons or  pardon  the  expression  when  ‘tis  used  com- 
paratively * of  the  Generali  Assembly  of  Xew  Jersie. 
I therefore  send  it  as  he  caused  it  to  be  printed,  at  Xew 
Yorke.  and  would  advise  that  the  severall  Assembly es 
of  the  Plantations  be  directed  from  time  to  time  to  send 
coppies  of  their  Jouraalls  to  one  of  her  Majesties  Prin- 


J For  notice  of  Lewis  Morris  see  YoL  IL.  p.  517.— Ed. 


1708]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  275 

cipall  Secretaries  of  State,  directly  from  themselves, 
and  if  some  such  method  were  taken  with  the  severall 
Councills,  I am  very  much  deceiv’d  if  the  aecots  you 
receive  w~ere  not  much  more  to  be  depended  on  yn  now 
they  are.  How  just  my  Lord  has  been  in  his  repre- 
sentations of  men  and  things  he  best  can  tell,  but  if 
from  what  has  been  seen  of  them  here  an  estimate 
may  be  made  of  what  has  not,  truth,  indeed  a good 
judgment,  is  what  is  least  to  be  expected  in  them,  and 
a character  whose  veracity  is  not  to  be  depended  on,  is 
not  the  fittest  to  command  Provinces.  Such  persons 
ought  to  be  strangers  to  mean  complyances,  but  when 
they  prostitute  their  reputation  and  fall  victims  to  an 
avaritious  temper,  stooping  to  sordid  measures  for 
game,  become  the  murchandize  of  factions  and  price  of 
the  highest  bidder,  what  are  the  ills  not  to  be  expected 
under  such  an  administration,  or  rather  what  is  the 
good  to  be  hop’t  either  to  her  Majestie  or  her  subjects. 
But  to  leave  this  wch  however  true  looks  too  much  like 
resentments;  to  give  some  fight  to  the  papers  before 
you,  I shall  give  Your  Honor  ye  state  of  that  province 
when  my  Lord  arriv’d  and  what  'tis  now. 

When  he  arrived  there  he  found  it  divided  into  two 
parties,  the  one  called  Hamiltons  and  the  other  Basses 
partie;  not  to  trouble  your  Honor  from  whence  they 
rose,  Hamiltons  partie,  in  that  now  called  the  Easterne 
division  of  New  Jersie,  formerly  East  New  Jersey, 
consisted  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  best  figure  and  for- 
tune and  majority  of  the  people.  Basse  being  formerly 
an  Anabaptist  Minister,  those  of  that  religion,  some 
Quakers,  and  a miselanious  mob.  where  of  his  partie. 
In  the  Westerne  Division  ye  Quakers  aud  by  very  much 
the  greater  part  of  the  people,  where  of  that  called 
Hamiltons  partie.  When  my  Lords  commission  was 
publisht,  it  was  the  endeavours  of  both  these  parties 
to  be  uppermost,  that  of  Basses  haveing,  dureing  the 
unsetled  state  of  that  Province,  been  guilty  of  severall 


276  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1708 

irregular  actions,  endeavoured  his  Lordships  counte- 
nance  in  order  to  procure  an  Act  of  Indempnity  in 
their  favour,  and  many  of  the  other  partie  where  not 
for  obliging  them  in  that  point.  When  the  time  came 
for  the  choice  of  Assemblymen,  yu  writs  (according  to 
her  Majesties  directions)  appointing  the  Qualification 
of  the  Elected  to  be  1000  acres  of  land,  and  of  the 
Electors  to  be  100.  verry  much  disobliged  a great  num- 
ber of  persons,  and  ye  mob  in  generall,  because  the 
choice  was  taken  out  of  their  hands,  and  that  made 
the  majority  of  the  Eastern  division  consist  of  that 
called  Basse’s  partie;  but  notwithstanding  by  an  arti- 
fice of  the  other  partie  they  lost  the  field  in  the  election. 
In  the  Western  division  Hamilton’s  partie  carried  it  to 
a man;  so  that  the  first  Assembly  consisted  of  that 
partie  called  Hamiltons.  There  was  in  that  province 
a third  partie,  or  rather  a partie  within  a partie,  who 
had  designs  of  their  owne,  abstract  from  governement, 
and  these  were  Proprietors.  These  having  uppon  the 
surrender  of  their  government,  obteined  a certain  form 
of  instructions  to  be  given  to  ye  Governours,  which 
should  from  time  to  time  be  sent  into  New  Jersie, 
thought  them  selves  secure  in  the  Governours  obedi- 
ence of  them,  and  were  incouraged  by  my  Lords 
promises  to  think  they  might  safely  depend  he  would 
not  faile  in  the  performance  of  what  was  so  much  his 
duty  and  interest  to  do;  but  after  some  time  being 
better  acquainted  wth  his  character,  and  considering 
that  if  he  should  breake  them,  that  such  was  the  vast 
distance  from  England  the  difficulty  that  attends 
applications  in  controverted  cases,  the  possibility 
(after  all)  of  their  being  thought  in  the  wrong  and  of 
being  misrepresented,  that  should  they  meet  wth  suc- 
cess yet  it  would  be  so  long  a time  first  that  the 
mischiefs  they  might  suffer  would  be  irrepairable,  they 
choose  to  make  more  sencible  application  to  my  Lord 
than  bare  words:  and  accordingly  Doctor  Johnstone 


1708]  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  277 

waited  on  him  wth  £200.  at  twice,  as  is  exprest  in  his 
affidavit.  That  partie  of  Basse’s  having  most  of  them 
being  in  ye  Assembly  and  haveing  made  some 
endeavours  to  procure  an  Act  of  Indempnity  which 
proved  ineffectual!,  had  recourse  to  other  measures, 
and  it  haveing  got  wind  that  his  Lp  recd  money  of 
Doctor  Johnstone,  and  guessing  the  sum  much  bigger 
then  realy  ’twas,  began  to  entertain  some  hopes,  very 
justly  conceiving  that  he  that  was  not  proof e against 
one  sum,  would  not  withstand  another,  and  since  he 
was  to  be  purchas’d  resolv’d  to  bid  for  him,  and  being 
encourag’d  by  his  confident  D1  Bridges  Chiefe  Justice 
of  New  York,  since  dead,  they  raised  the  severall  sums 
mentioned  in  the  Affidavits,  and  many  more  that  we 
cannot  yet  get  accounts  of,  as  we  judge  to  yc  value  of 
about  fifteen  hundred  pounds.  This  money  was  paid 
to  one  Bichard  Salter  (who  had  been  presented  by  a 
Grand  Jury  for  fellony  under  the  former  administra- 
tion) and  to  one  Capt.  John  Bowne  ; both  which  per- 
sons travail’d  through  the  Province  and  by  untrue 
insinuations  perswaded  the  raising  of  this  money. 
They  are  both  protected  and  honored  by  my  Lord,  and 
what  places  he  can  well  bestow,  given  them.  Bowne 
was  a Member  of  the  Assembly,  and  by  them  expelled 
for  refusing  to  tell  what  he  did  with  the  money. 
Salter  kept  out  of  the  way  and  could  not  be  got;  but 
while  he  kept  out  of  the  Serjeant’s  way,  my  Lord 
admitted  him  to  his  company,  and  sent  for  a boat  and 
had  him  shipt  over  into  Pensilvania  government.  By 
all  which  your  Honour  may  perceive  what  it  is  jl 
hinders  it  from  being  fixt  on  my  Lord,  and  that  it 
cannot  be  well  knowne  how  these  persons  dispos’d  of 
that  money,  except  Her  Majestie  thinke  fit  to  order 
them  to  be  sent  to  England  and  examined  there,  or  till 
an  honester  man  be  sent  in  my  Lords  roome.  It  can 
be  proved  (without  Bowne  and  t’other)  that  t’was 
given  to  D'  Bridges  in  my  Lord’s  house,  and  there  is 


278  LORD  CORN  BUR  Y’s  ADMINISTRATION.  [1708 

all  the  reason  in  ye  world  to  beleive  liis  Lordship  had 
it.  But  the  effect  it  has  had,  and  the  service  or  rather 
diservice  it  has  done  her  Majestie  I shall  endeavour  to 
show.  My  Lord  proposed  to  this  first  Assembly,  to 
raise  a revenue  for  the  suport  of  her  Majesties  govern- 
ment. I was  then  of  her  Majesties  Councill,  and  I 
privately  askt  him  what  sume  he  thought  would  do. 
He  told  me  fifteen  hundred  pound  a yeare.  I had 
some  influence  over  the  most  leading  men  of  that 
Assembly,  to  whom  I proposed  it;  but  all  1 could  say 
did  not  prevaile  with  them  to  come  up  to  that  sum. 
One  thousand  a yeare,  for  three  years  they  would  give, 
and  indeed  its  a wonder  they  ever  came  so  farr  at  once; 
the  greatest  tax  that  had  ever  been  raised  being  £675, 
and  at  that  the  people  were  ready  to  run  mad  and 
would  never  pay  it)  that  not  pleasing,  they  were 
adjourned  till  a further  time.  In  the  interim  this 
money  I have  been  speaking  of,  was  paid,  and  the 
contributors  did  openly  boast  of  their  assurance  of 
having  that  Assembly  dissolved.  Whether  the  fears 
of  ye  partie  that  was  then  uppermost  of  haveing  that 
Assembly  dissolved  or  what  it  was  that  wrought  upon 
them  I can’t  tell,  but  they  thought  it  adviseable  to 
come  up  to  my  Lords  proposall  of  fifteene  hundred 
pounds  pr  annum  for  three  years.  Whether  they  had 
past  a vote  or  not,  my  memory  wont  serve  me,  but  I 
think  they  past  a vote  for  it,  and  no  sooner  was  my 
Lord  assured  of  that,  but  he  dissolved  them.  It  was 
now  no  longer  a doubt  he  had  been  pro  mist  more, 
besides  other  prevailing  arguments  ready  downe,  and 
assurance  they  could  carry  the  majority  of  the  Assem- 
bly; but  it  was  something  surpriseing  that  any  man  in 
his  right  witts  should  part  wth  a certaine  1500  a yeare, 
for  an  uncertainty  and  depend  upon  promises  wch  any 
man  that  could  see  an  inch  before  his  nose  might  be 
morally  as  not  in  their  power  to  performe. 

A new  Assembly  was  chosen,  which  demonstrated 


1708] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


279 


the  vanity  of  their  promises  and  the  folly  of  depending 
on  them;  however  the  best  was  to  be  made  of  a bad 
market,  and  the  business  was  to  be  done  per  fas  aut 
ne  fas,  and  the  way  they  took  was  as  follows: — The 
majority  of  the  Assembly  consisting  of  those  who 
were  enemies  to  y*  faction,  who  by  bribery  had  pro- 
cured their  dissolution  and  it  being  impossible  to  obtain 
the  end  the  contributors  had  procured  their  dissolution 
and  it  being  impossible  to  obtain  the  end  the  contribu- 
tors had  promis’d  without  getting  some  of  them  out 
of  the  House,  when  therefore  the  Assembly  came  to 
be  sworn  (which  is  done  before  the  Governour.  in 
Councill)  Thomas  Re  veil  and  Dan1 11  Leeds  Esqrs  two  of 
her  Majesties  Councill  objected  against  three  of  the 
Members  chosen  to  serve,  as  being  unqualified,  upon 
which  my  Lord  refused  to  sware  them;  by  this  means 
they  got  the  majority  by  one.  Some  little  time  after, 
ye  same  gentlemen  present  to  that  faction  of  a house 
the  following,  which  they  called  a Petition,  “We 
underwritten  ” & ' This  fourteen  daies  they  askt  they 
thought  to  be  time  enough  to  accomplish  their  designs, 
but  that  not  doeing,  the  hearing  of  them  was  defered 
from  one  time  to  another  till  they  had  done  what  they 
intended.  At  last  the  matter  came  to  a hearing,  but 
neither  Revell  nor  Leeds  ever  as  much  as  appeared  to 
justifie  their  allegations,  ye  end  being  answered  for 
which  they  did  it.  Well  the  Assembly  even  that 
faction  of  yni  when  they  had  examined  the  matter 


1 We  underwritten  supposing  we  had  good  reason  to  charge  three  of  the  persons 
returned  to  serve  as  Representatives  in  this  Generali  Assembly,  But  upon  due  con- 
sideration upon  the  premises  find  it  difficult  to  come  to  a true  determination 
thereof  untill  we  can  by  further  inquiry  find  the  truth  of  what  we  have  been 
inform’d  of:  We  therefore  humbly  desire  fourteen  days  time  further  that  we  may 
be  able  more  fully  to  informe  this  House  therein,  wch  we  humbly  supose  at  present 
cannot  be  reasonably  expected  from  us.  We  subscribe  ourselves  your  humble 
suppliants,  THOS  REVELL 

DANIELL  LEEDS. 

Your  Horn*  is  prayed  to  excuse  this  not  being  in  the  letter,  for  my  Amanuensis 
had  omitted  and  the  post  did  not  stay  long  enough  for  me  to  new  copie  that  sheet. 
I am  Yo  honors  humble  Servant  LEWIS  MORRIS 


280  LORD  CORNBURY?S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1708 

were  sattisfied  they  were  qualified  and  sent  two  of 
their  Members  to  desire  my  Lord  to  sware  y™,  wc.h  he 
refused  to  do,  pretending  he  was  the  judge  of  their 
qualifications,  and  that  upon  his  determination  they 
were  to  be  admitted  or  refused;  and  so  he  kept  them 
out  about  eleaven  months.  Perhaps  of  ye  kind  there 
has  hardly  been  a greater  complication  of  villany. 
Among  other  Acts  they  past  then,  there  was  one  to 
raise  a Revenue  of  2000  pounds  a yeare  for  two 
veares,  and  in  that  he  consented  to  lay  taxes  on 
uncultivated  lands,  wch  was  directly  contrary  to  his 
instructions,  another  Act  for  laying  out  High  waies, 
and  another  to  settle  the  Militia,  all  wch  had  the  fol- 
lowing effects: — In  the  Militia  Act  the  Quakers  that 
could  not  for  conscience  forsooth  beare  armes  was  to 
pay  a certaine  sum  yearly  and  forfeitures  were  laid 
upon  other  defaulters,  but  there  was  no  provision 
made  to  returne  ye  superplusse  of  ye  distresses,  if  any 
such  thing  should  be.  My  Lord  had  made  a set  of 
Officers  sutable  to  his  turne,  to  say  no  more  of  them : 
these  were  punctual!  in  making  distresses,  and  gener- 
ally above  ten  times  the  value,  wch  when  they  came  to 
expose  to  sale,  no  body  would  buy  so  that  there  is  or 
lately  was  a house  at  Burlington,  filled  wth  demonstra- 
tions of  ye  obstinacy  of  ye  Quakers;  there  was  boots,  hats 
shooes  cloaths,  dishes,  plowes,  knives,  earthenware, 
with  many  other  things,  and  those  distresses  amounts, 
it  is  said,  to  above  1000  a year,  almost  enough  to  defray 
the  charges  of  ye  government  without  any  other  way. 

The  layers  out  of  the  High  way  were  appointed  by 
the  Act,  and  such  as  were  ye  most  inveterate  party 
men,  and  such  as  were  resolved  to  be  no  more  want- 
ing in  their  part  of  mischief  than  ye  Militia  officers 
were  in  theirs,  and  as  fit  for  the  turne  of  such  a faction 
of  an  Assembly,  as  the  others  were  for  such  a Gover- 
nour.  They  pull'd  down  their  enemies  inclosures,  laid 
waies  through  their  orchards,  gardens  and  improve- 


1708] 


LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


281 


men1;8  there  was  one  gentleman  at  whom  they  had  an 
extraordinary  pique,  and  they  laid  a way  over  a mill 
pond,  to  necessitate  him  to  pull  down  dam  & mills 
that  could  not  be  erected  for  100  pounds,  or  to  pull  it 
down  themselves,  though  the  gentleman  offered  to 
build  a bridge  over  the  streame,  at  his  own  charge,  i 
of  a mile  distant  wch  would  have  been  f nearer  and  bet 
ter  way.  To  be  short  they  were  truly  industrious  & 
fully  answer’d  the  end  of  their  makers,  never  omitted 
an  ill  turn  they  could  do,  and  alwaies  went  out  of  their 
way  to  do  it- 

The  Revenue  Act,  though  the  money  was  to  serve 
two  years,  yet  it  oblig’d  the  payment  of  it  in  one.  It 
was  a vast  sum  for  that  province,  and  the  makers  who 
by  laying  of  a tax  on  land  thought  it  would  fall  easie 
upon  their  own  partie,  who  had  but  small  tracts,  found 
the  success  did  by  no  means  answer  the  expectations  ; 
for  though  it  fell  heaviest  upon  ye  men  that  had  great 
tracts  of  land,  yet  they  [were]  better  able  to  bear  it,  & 
their  numbers  were  inconsiderable  compared  wth  ye 
whole.  The  poore  it  undid  for  having  to  purchase  the 
opportunity  of  plagueing  their  neighbors  and  of  giving 
so  much  money  (for  that  was  all  they  got,  except  the 
putting  of  a parcell  of  scabs  in  office)  paid  all  ye  money 
they  had  or  by  their  credit  could  get,  and  the  bonds 
they  had  given  becoming  now  due,  and  the  tax  and 
that  to  be  both  paid  and  they  haveing  no  money  and 
their  creditt  pawn’d  for  above  the  value;  it’s  not  to  be 
exprest  ye  confusion  and  perplexity  they  were  in.  The 
whole  Province  was  filled  with  murmurs  and  com- 
plaints ; but  neither  that  nor  ye  hearty  curses  they  lib- 
eraly  bestow’d  upon  the  vilains  that  were  yee  auth- 
ors of  their  sufferings,  avail’d  anything ; they  were 
forced  to  get  money,  some  by  taking  it  up  at  10  20  30, 
& more  pl  Cent  interest,  those  whose  credit  would  not 
go,  even  on  ye  most  desperate  terms,  were  forc’t  to 
sell  w1  they  had  was  vendible,  to  raise  money,  and 


282  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1708 

very  many  there  was  yr  sold  milch  cowes  to  raise  six 
shillings.  By  this  means  yl  tax  was  paid,  and  that 
coming  from  ye  neck  of  the  money  raised  to  give  his 
Lordship,  and  ye  extravagant  distresses  from  ye  Quak- 
ers, has  so  impoverisht  New  Jersie  that  they  are  not 
only  unwilling  to  raise  a support  for  a wretch  who  by 
the  whole  conduct  of  his  life  (here)  has  evinc’t  yf  he 
has  no  regard  to  honr  or  virtue,  but  they  are  also  un- 
able to  raise  such  a suport  as  he  saies  her  Majistie  de- 
mands, wch  is  1500  pounds  per  annum  for  twentie 
yeares. 

There  has  no  occasion  offered  but  her  Majestie  has 
exprest  abundance  of  tendernesse  for  that  people,  and 
they  have  no  other  inducement  to  believe  this  demand  is 
realy  her  Majesties,  as  tis  said  to  be,  but  that  thare  is 
kind  consideration  of  ye  inabilities  of  ye  people,  who 
were  not  able  to  give  2000,  and  therefore  her  Maty 
abates  500  pr  annum.  Had  they  not  been  drained  by 
their  private  and  public  taxes  they  had  been  able  to  do 
it,  but  now  they  are  not,  1000  pound  is  the  utmost  they 
can  do  ; & whoever  acquaints  the  Queen  they  are  cap- 
able of  doing  more  does  not  understand  that  Province 
and  abuses  her  Majistie.  I believe  in  a few  years  they 
may  be  able  to  raise  above  1500,  and  whatever  they  are 
able  to  do  they  will  be  wiiling  under  the  Administra- 
tion of  any  person  yl  does  not  invade  their  liberties, 
and  equally  adminsters  ye  laws ; but  they  think  no 
consideration  obliges  them  to  support  oppression. 

As  to  raieseing  a revenue  for  a certain  time,  especi- 
ally so  long  a time  ’tis  what  they  are  utterly  averse  to, 
for  yc  instances  of  ye  misapplication  of  ye  revenue  in 
the  neighbouring  government  of  New  Yorke  are  so 
many  and  the  extravagance  of  its  application  in  New 
Jersie  so  great,  that  it  is  in  my  opinion  impracticable 
to  perswade  an  Assembly  in  this  part  of  America  to 
trust  a Governor  after  my  Lord  Cornbury.  When  I 
spoke  of  the  extravagant  application  of  ye  Revenue  of 


1708]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  283 

New  Jersie,  I forgot  to  add  the  difficulty  of  knowing 
how  *tis  applyed,*  for  though  her  Maty  directs  that  ye 
Assembly  examine  ye  Accts  of  ye  disposall  of  money 
raised  by  them,  yet  ye  Governour  eludes  ye  ends  of  that 
instruction  and  protects  one  Peter  Fauconier,  a French- 
man Receiver  Generali  in  that  Province,  from  giving 
the  Assembly  the  satisfaction  they  ought  to  have.  The 
fact  is  thus  ; — the  Assembly  orders  Fauconier  to  lay 
the  Accts  before  them  ; he  did,  and  severall  articles 
there  were,  wcb  they  thought  very  extravagant  ; they 
ordered  him  to  bring  his  vouches  ; the  answer  he  re- 
turns is  (if  I remember)  he  is  accountable  to  the 
Auditor  Generali,  and  wth  out  my  Lord’s  direction  he 
can  not  do  it,  wch  he  has  not  had  nor  is  not  like  to  get, 
and  there  it  sticks. 

If  this,  and  what’s  inclosed  lets  your  honr  see  ye 
state  of  New  Jersie,  I have  my  end,  I ad  that  its  ye 
impudent  conduct  of  yc  Governours,  to  call  it  no 
worse,  that  has  been  ye  great  prejudice  of  her  Majes- 
ties service  in  America,  the  various  kinds  of  injustice 
and  oppression,  yc  sordid  and  mercenary  measures 
they  have  taken,  the  mean  things  they  have  stoopt 
to,  the  trash  of  mankind  that  has  been  their  favorites 
and  tools  and  by  them  raised  to  posts  of  honr  and 
proffit  as  rewards  for  accomplishing  ye  worst  ends, 
has  stunted  the  growth  of  these  otherwise  thriving 
plantations,  and  you  may  easily  judge  what  effects 
are  yc  unavoidable  consequences  of  such  causes,  ex- 
cept mankind  can  be  brought  to  love  such  things  as 
by  ye  principalis  of  human  nature  they  must  necesarily 
hate. 

Tis  this  has  filled  ye  Charter  governments  wth  people 
and  makes  them  fond  of  suporting  an  administration 
in  wch  they  can  call  their  Governour  to  an  account  & 
punish  them  for  male  administration  wlllout  yc  uncer- 
tain & tedious  success  of  application  to  courts  ; and 
were  it  not  for  ye  stingeness  and  narrowness  of  their 


284 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


[1708 


principles  (pardon  this  disagreeable  truth)  the  govern- 
ments under  her  Majesties  more  imediate  administra- 
tion had  long  ere  this  been  thin’d  of  inhabitants,  and 
when  a way  is  found  that  Governours  may  not  do  acts 
of  injustice  with  impunity  ye  Charter  governments 
wont  long  subsist. 

All  the  apologie  I shall  make  for  ye  lenth  of  this  is, 
that  I mean  it  for  her  Majesties  service  and  hope  ye 
goodness  of  yc  intent  will  induce  a pardon  for  ye  mean- 
esse  of  ye  performance,  and  did  I not  feare  trying  your 
Honr  would  enter  into  yc  state  of  ye  Province  of  New 
York  ; but  I hope  some  abler  hand  has  done  this  Pro- 
vince & my  Lord  Cornbury  so  much  justice  as  to  lay 
before  you  an  administration  no  where  so  exactly  par- 
ralel’d  as  in  that  of  Gessius  Floras,  Governour  of  Ju- 
dea, and  has  told  you  that  her  Majesties  revenue  here 
is  nigh  expiring  and  will  certainly  fall,  if  some  elce 
ben’t  sent  in  my  Lord’s  stead. 

We  are  told  Sir  Gilbert  Heathcote  has  made  some 
interest  for  his  brother  Coll.  Caleb  Heathcote  ; he  will 
be  a man  to  ye  generall  sattisfaction  of  ye  people,  and 
at  this  juncture  to  obtain e a resetlement  of  her  Majes- 
ties revenue,  no  man  fitter  I know  no  man  under- 
stands ye  Province  or  People  better,  or  is  more  capable 
of  doeing  her  Majestie  reall  service.  He  is  an  honest 
man  and  the  reverse  of  my  Lord  Cornbury  ; of  whom 
I must  say  something  wdl  perhaps  no  boddy  will  think 
worth  while  to  tell,  and  that  is,  his  dressing  publickly 
in  woman’s  cloaths  every  day  and  putting  a stop  to  all 
publique  business  while  he  is  pleaseing  himselfe  wth 
yl  peculiar  but  detestable  magot. 

It  is  not  good  manners  perhaps  to  pray  from  a 
Secretary  of  State  a line  in  answer,  but  I have  soe 
much  reason  to  feare  yp  interepcting  of  my  letters  that 
I would  entreat  some  notice  of  ye  receipt  of  this,  and 
that  for  your  owne  sake  as  well  as  mine,  to  prevent 
your  being  troubled  with  a second  edition  wth  additions, 


1708]  LORD  CORNBURY’s  ADMINISTRATION. 


285 


presuming  you  like  long  letters  except  where  it  cant  be 
helpt  as  little  as  does: — 

Much  Honor?  I was  here  concluding,  but  the  ill  per- 
formance of  my  amanuensis  makes  it  necessary  to  en- 
treat your  excuse  for  it  ; he  had  been  us’d  to  write  in 
mercantile  affairs  wch  I suppose  has  made  him  use 
figures  so  much,  and  should  I transcribe  it  I should 
miss  thi£  post  and  possibly  the  conveyance  by  the  mast 
fleet.  I am  with  all  submission 

Right  Honble 

Your  Honrs  most  humble  servant 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , for- 
warding an  address  from  the  Lieutenant  Governor 
and  Council  to  the  Queen , objecting  to  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Assembly. 

| From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  33.] 

New  York  february  10th  170g 1 

My  Lords 

I take  the  liberty  to  trouble  your  Lordshipps  with 


Received  May  19, 1708— Ed. 


LORD  CORNBURYs  ADMINISTRATION. 


•2S6 


[1708 


this  to  accompany  an  addresse  to  her  Most  Sacred 
Maiesty  the  Queen,  signed  by  the  Lieutenant  Gouuer- 
nor  and  Councill  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  I re- 
ceiued  it  some  few  hours  agoe  with  a desire  to  me  to 
transmit  it  to  your  Lordshipps  with  their  letter  to  you. 
I shall  not  pretend  to  add  any  thing  to  what  they  have 
said,  nor  to  diminish  from  it.  they  are  most  of  them 
much  better  acquainted  with  the  people  of  that  Prov- 
ince then  I can  pretend  to  be.  and  consequently  are 
better  able  to  represent  the  true  Interest  of  the  Country 
then  I can.  though  I think  I may  without  vanity  say 
that  I am  not  a Stranger  neither  to  the  Countrey,  nor 
the  People,  their  Interests,  nor  Inclinations.  I have 
taken  the  liberty  to  offer  your  Lordshipps  my  thoughts 
upon  these  matters  already  by  these  conueyance.  there- 
fore am  not  willing  to  trouble  you  any  farther  at 
present  only  to  Intreat  your  Lordshipps  to  believe  that 
I am  My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most 
faitlifull  humble  servant 
Cornbuey. 


Address  accompanying  the  foregoing  letter. 

fFrom  P.  R.  O.  B.  T..  New  Jersey.  VoL  1,  C.  35.] 

Copy  of  an  address  from  the  Lieut.  Govr  & 
Councill  of  New  Jersey  to  her  Majesty  rela- 
ting to  the  Proceedings  of  the  assembly  of 
that  Pi*ovince  Rece'd  19th  May  1708. 


1708] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


287 


To  the  Queen's  most  Excell't  Majesty. 

The  Humble  Address  of  the  Lieutenant  Governour 
& Councill  of  Nova  Caesaria  or  New  Jersey  in 
America. 

May  it  please  Your  Majesty. 

W ee  the  Lieutenant  Governour  and  Councill  of  Your 
Majesty's  Province  of  Nova  Caesaria  or  New  Jersey  in 
America  have  seriously  and  deliberately  taken  into  our 
Consideration  the  Proceedings  of  the  present  Assem- 
bly or  Representative  Body  of  this  Province,  thought 
Our  selves  bound  both  in  Duty  and  Conscience  to 
Testify  to  Your  Majesty  our  Dislike  and  abhor- 
rence of  the  same,  being  very  sensible  that  the  unac- 
countable Humours,  and  pernicious  Designs  of  some 
particular  men,  have  put  them  upon  so  many  Irregu- 
laritys,  with  intention  only  to  occasion  Diversions  and 
Distractions  to  the  great  Disturbance  of  the  great  and 
Weighty  Affairs  which  both  Your  Majesty's  Honour 
and  Dignity  as  well  as  the  Peace  and  Welfare  of  the 
Country  required.  Their  high  Incroachments  on  your 
Majesty’s  Prerogative  Royall,  Notorious  violations  of 
the  Rights  and  Liberty’s  of  the  Subjects,  Manifest  In- 
terruption of  Justice,  and  most  unmannerly  Treat- 
ment of  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Cornbury,  would 
have  induced  Us  sooner  to  have  discharged  our  Duty 
to  Your  Majesty,  in  giving  a full  Representation  of  the 
unhappy  Circumstances  of  this  Your  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince and  Government,  had  We  not  been  in  hopes  that 
his  Excellency  my  Lord  Cornbury’s  full  and  and  ample 
Answer  to  a most  scandalous  Libell,  called  a Remon- 
strance of  the  Assembly  of  Nova  Caesaria  or  New  Jer- 
sey which  was  delivered  to  the  Governour  by  the  as- 


288  LORD  cornbury’s  administration.  [1708 

sembly  at  Burlington  in  May  last,  would  have  opened 
the  Eyes  of  the  Assembly  and  brought  them  back  to 
their  Reason  and  Duty,  But  finding  that  those  few 
Turbulent  and  uneasy  Spiritts  in  the  Assembly  have 
still  been  able  to  Influence,  and  amuse  the  Judgement 
of  many  well  meaning  men  in  that  Body,  as  appears 
by  another  late  Scandalous  and  Infamous  Libell,  called 
the  Reply  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Jersey  to  an  answer  made  by  his  Excel- 
lency Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Govenour  of  the  said 
Province,  to  the  humble  Remonstrance  of  the  afore- 
said House  ; We  are  now  obliged  humbly  to  represent 
to  your  Majesty  the  true  cause,  and  what  We  conceive 
may  be  the  Remedy  of  these  Confusions  ; The  first  is 
wholly  owing  to  the  Turbulent,  Factious,  uneasy  and 
Disloyal  Principles  of  two  men  in  that  assembly  Mr. 
Lewis  Morris  and  Mr.  Samuel  Jennings,  a Quaker, 
men  notoriously  known  to  be  uneasy  under  all  Govern- 
ments, men  never  known  to  be  consistent  with  them- 
selves, men  to  whom  all  the  Factions  and  Confusions 
in  the  Government  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 
for  many  years  are  wholly  owing,  men  that  have  had 
the  confidence  to  Declare  in  open  Councill,  That  your 
Majesty’s  Instructions  to  your  Governours  in  these 
Provinces  shall  not  oblige  or  bind  them,  nor  will  they 
be  concluded  by  them  further  than  they  are  warranted 
by  Law,  of  which  they  will  also  be  the  Judges  ; and 
this  is  done  by  them,  as  we  have  all  the  reason  in  the 
world  to  believe,  to  Incourage  not  only  this  Govern- 
ment ; but  also  the  rest  of  your  Majesty’s  Governm1?  in 
America  to  throw  off  your  Majesty’s  Royal  Preroga- 
tive, and  consequently  to  involve  all  your  Dominions  in 
this  part  of  the  world,  and  the  honest,  good  and  well 
meaning  people  in  them  in  Confusion,  hoping  there  by 
to  obtain  their  Wicked  Purposes.  The  Remedy  for  all 
these  Evils  We  most  humbly  propose  is,  That  your  Ma- 
jesty will  most  graciously  please  to  Discountenance 


1707] 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


289 


these  wicked  designing  men,  and  Show  some  dislike  of 
this  Assembly’s  Proceedings,  who  are  Resolved  neither 
to  support  this  Your  Majesty’s  Government  by  a 
Revenue,  nor  take  care  to  Defend  it  by  Settling  a 
Militia.  This  last  Libell,  called  the  Reply  &c,  came 
out  so  suddenly  that  as  yet  wee  have  not  had  time  to 
answer  it  in  all  its  particulars,  but  do  assure  Your 
Majesty  that  it  is  for  the  most  part  false  in  fact,  and 
that  part  of  it  which  carry’s  any  face  of  Truth,  they 
have  been  malitious  and  unjust  in  not  mentioning  the 
whole  Truth,  which  would  have  fully  justified  my 
Lord  Cornbury’s  just  conduct.  Thus  having  Dis- 
charged this  part  of  Our  Duty  , which  we  thought  -at 
present  Incumbent  upon  Us,  Wee  begg  leave  to  assure 
Your  Majesty,  That  whenever  we  shall  see  the  People 
of  this  Province  labour  under  anything  like  a Griev- 
ance, we  shall  according  to  Our  Duty  immediately  ap- 
ply to  the  Governour,  with  our  best  advice  for  the  re- 
dress of  it ; and  wee  have  no  reason  yet  to  doubt  of  a 
ready  complyance  in  him.  Wee  shall  not  be  particu- 
lar in,  but  crave  leave  to  referr,  to  his  Excellency’s  Re- 
presentation of  them  to  the  Right  Honb!e  the  Lords 
Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations.  The  stren- 
uous Asserting  of  Your  Majesty’s  Prerogative  Roy  all, 
and  vindicating  the  honour  of  Your  Governour  The 
Lord  Cornbury,  will  in  our  humble  Opinion,  be  so  ab- 
solutely necessary  at  this  Juncture,  that  without  so 
doing  Your  Majesty  will  find  yourself  deceived,  either 
in  your  Expectations  of  a Revenue  for  the  support  of 
the  Government,  or  a Militia  for  its  Defence.  In  hopes 
your  Majesty  will  take  these  important  things  into 
your  consideration,  and  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Corn- 
bury with  the  Members  of  Your  Majesty’s  Councill 
into  Your  Roy  all  Favour  and  Protection,  We  shall 
conclude  with  our  most  fervent  Prayers  to  the  most 
High  to  lengthen  your  days  and  increase  your  Glories, 
19 


LOKD  COKXBUKY'S  A DMIXISTRATION. 


*->1)0 


ino; 


and  that  our  selves  in  particular  and  all  others  in  Gen- 
rall,  who  reape  the  Benefit  of  your  Majesty's  most 
Gentle  and  happy  Government  may  be,  and  ever  con- 
tinue, the  most  Loyall  and  Dutifull  of  Subjects,  to  the 
most  Gracious  and  best  of  Queens. 

Tho  : Revell.  1 

Dan  : Leeds.  Rich1;  Ingoldsby  2 
Rob1  Quajry'  Dan  : Cox.  W?  Finhorne 

Ric  : Townly  R : Mompesson 
WM  Sandford 


1 Thomas  Revell,  with  his  wife,  children  and 
servants,  came  to  West  Jersey  on  board  the 
ship  Shield  in  December.  1678.  and  landed  at 
Burlington that  being  the  first  vessel  ascend- 
ing the  Delaware  to  that  point.  The  first 
position  that  he  held  in  the  province  seems  to  have  been  that  of  Provincial 
Clerk  and  Recorder  at  Burlington,  but  he  does  not  appear  to  have 
become  much  interested  in  land  and  his  name  is  not  among  those  who 
surrendered  the  province  in  1702.  He  was  for  many  years  the  Register 
or  Recorder  of  the  West  Jersey  Proprietors  at  Burlington,  and  Revell ‘s  Books 

of  Record”  are  still  in  existence  and  the  despositories  of  much  valuable  in- 
formation respecting  that  portion  of  New  Jersey.  In  1699,  in  connection  with  John 
Tatham  and  Nathaniel  Westland,  he  got  up  an  anonymous  pamphlet  aimed  at 
Samuel  Jenings  which  did  not  tend  to  raise  him  in  the  estimation  of  the  people. 
His  connection  with  Daniel  Coxe  adverted  to  in  subsequent  documents,  and  his  sub- 
serviency to  Lord  Corn  bury  also  operated  to  his  prejudice.  It  is  thought  that  the 
same  relations  existed  between  Coxe  and  Daniel  Leeds  as  with  Revell.  As  Leeds 
filled  the  position  of  Surveyor,  the  landed  interests  of  Coxe  may  have  had  some  - 
thing  to  do  with  their  association.  Leeds'  first  official  position  seems  to  have  been 
as  member  of  assembly  in  1682.— Ed. 


of  troops  on  28th  January.  1692  : but  having  seen  some  field  service  in  Holland  and 
Ireland,  he  was  accorded  the  title  of  Major.  The  Leisler  difficulties,  and  other 
public  measures,  to  which  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  times  gave  prom- 
inence. caused  him  to  be  charged  with  important  duties  in  which  he  manifested 
much  ability,  although  designated  by  Governor  Bellomont  as  "a  rash,  hot-headed 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


291 


1708] 


Minutes  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  from  the  5th 
to  12 tli  of  May , 1708. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  70.] 

[Endorsed.] 

Minutes  or  Journall  of  the  Assembly  of  Nova- 
Csesarea  or  New-Jersey  begun  the  5th  May 
1708  at  Burlington.  But  were  Factious  & 
mutinous  And  would  do  nothing  so  ad- 
journ’d them  to  3d  Tuesday  in  Septemb1 
1708  to  meet  at  Amboy  Lord  Cornbury 
Governor  referred  to  in  M[  Dockwras 
Memd  Rec’d:  2 Novemb;  1709 

Minutes  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Province  of  Nova  Caesarea,  or  New-Jersey;  in  the 
Third  Sitting  of  the  first  Sessions  of  the  Third  Assem- 
bly begun  at  Burlington,  the  first  day  of  May  One 
thousand  Seaven  Hundred  & Eight,  In  the  Seventh 
Year  of  Her  Majesty s Reign. 

Die  Mercurii  A:  M:  5?  Maji  1708. 


man."  He  conducted  a conference  with  the  five  nations  of  Indians  in  June,  1G92. 
he  then  holding  the  position  of  Commander  in  Chief  of  New  York.  He  warmly 
urged  his  claims  to  the  Governorship  of  the  province  but  without  success,  and  in  169G 
he  obtained  a furlough  for  a year  and  went  to  England,  with  a view  probably  to  that 
appointment.  Much  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  Governor  Bellomont  and  other  func- 
tionaries of  New  York,  he  remained  in  England  until  1704.  “ Tis  an  unpardonable 

neglect  in  that  man,”  wrote  Governor  Bellomont  to  Secretary  Vernon  in  1700—“  to 
be  away  so  long  from  his  duty  : his  wife  and  children  are  starving  at  Albany,  and 
he  is  so  inhuman  as  not  to  look  after  or  supply  them  in  the  least.”  He  arrived  in 
New  York  by  way  of  Virginia  in  March,  1704,  bringing  a commission  as  Lieutenant 
Governor  of  that  province.  Preceding  documents  show  how  little  accord  there 
was  between  him  and  his  superior  Lord  Cornbury,  make  known  the  revocation  of 
his  commission,  and  his  subsequent  acts  when,  on  the  death  of  Lord  Lovelace,  he  as- 
sumed the  supreme  authority  both  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  On  the  appoint- 
ment of  Governor  Hunter  as  Governor  of  New  Jersey  in  1709,  Major,  or  as  he  was 
then  generally  called  Colonel  Ingoldsby  withdrew  from  all  connection  with  the 
affairs  of  New  Jersey,  and  it  is  presumed,  as  he  is  represented  by  Governor 
Hunter  as  being  in  necessitous  circumstances,  that  he  returned  to  England,  as 
nothing  is  known  of  his  subsequent  career.  N.  Y.  Col.  Documents,  Vols.  IH.,  TV. 
V.— Ed. 


29*2  LORD  cornbury's  administration.  [1708 

His  Lordship  was  pleased  to  Adjourn  the  Assembly 
till  to  Morrow  morning  Eleven  a Clock. 

Die  jo  vis  a:  m ' The  House  mett  and  a Message  from 
60  May  1708  v His  Excellency  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Coun- 
cill,  Acquainting  the  House  His  Excellency  Required 
them  Attendance,  the  House  waited  on  his  Exc’ll7 
accordingly,  and  Informed  His  Excell  that  the  Speaker 
was  at  present  Indisposed,  and  prayed  His  Excell-V 
would  Adjourn  the  House  till  Munday  next  Upon 
which  His  Excell?  was  pleased  to  Adjourn  the  Assem- 
bly till  Munday  next. 

Die  Lunsea A:  M:  ' The  House  waited  on  his  ExcelR  & 

ioo  May  Ira?  \ Inform’d  His  Lord5?  the  Speaker  was  so 
Indispos’d,  he  was  not  Capable  of  Attending  the 
House,  and  prayed  His  Lord5?  Direction  His  Lord*? 
Ordered  them  to  Repaire  to  the  House  & Choose 
another  Speaker  and  present  him  to  His  Lord5?  at  five 
a Clock  in  the  After-noon  if  they  cou’d  make  them 
Choyce  Soon  enough  or  otherwise  to  morrow  Morning 
at  Eight  a Clock. 

The  House  Return'd  and  proceeded  to  the  Choyce  of 
a Speaker  and  accordingly  did  Choose  Tho  Gordon 
Esq[  their  Speaker  and  did  Conduct  him  to.  & place 
him  in  the  Cham. 

The  House  went  to  Attend  His  Excell*  and  Ac- 
quainted His  Excell'  they  had  Chosen  Thomas  Gordon 
Esqr  their  Speaker,  who  his  Excell’:  was  pleased  to 
approve  of,  and  Required  their  Attendance  at  Eight  a 
Clock  to  Morrow  Morning. 

The  House  adjourn'd  till  to  Morrow  Morning  8 a 
Clock. 

Die  Martis  A:  M:  1 The  House  met  according  to  Adjoum- 

no  May  1708  \ ment  M?  Speaker  left  the  Chair,  and  with 

the  House  went  to  Attend  His  Excell’:  and  being  Re- 
- turn’d  Mr  Speaker  Resum'd  the  Cham,  and  acquainted 
the  House  His  Excell’  was  pleased  to  Make  them  a 


LORD  CORNBURY’S  ADMINISTRATION. 


293 


1708] 


Speech  and  had  Given  a Coppy  of  the  same  which  was 
laid  upon  the  Clerk’s  table. 

Order’d  the  Same  to  be  read  presently  which  was 
accordingly  Read  in  these  words. 

Gentlemen 

The  Great  desire  I have  to  see  the  Service  of  the 
Queen  and  the  Good  of  this  Province  carried  on,  Sup- 
ported & provided  for  as  they  ought  to  be,  is  the 
cause  of  my  giving  you  this  opportunity  of  Meeting  to 
prepare  such  Bills  to  be  past  into  Laws  as  may  Be 
proper  for  the  Support  of  Her  most  Sacred  Majesty’s 
Governni;  and  the  peace,  quiet,  Happy  ness  and  Well- 
fare  of  your  Country.  Therefore  that  I may  not  be 
wanting  in  my  Duty,  in  the  Station  the  Queen  has 
been  pleased  to  Honour  me  with:  I shall  put  you  in 
mind  of  those  things  which  I think  ought  to  be  I medi- 
ately provided  for;  the  first  of  which  is,  the  Providing 
a Revenue  for  the  Support  of  the  Governm-  the  Reve- 
nue which  the  Queen  Expects  is  £1500  a Year  for  one 
and  twenty  year’s;  The  next  thing  I shall  recom’end 
to  Your  Care  is,  the  Reviving  or  Re-enacting  the 
Militia  Bill:  which  will  Expire  with  the  End  of  this 
Sessions  I have  every  Sessions  since  I have  had  the 
Honor  to  Serve  our  Most  Gratious  Soveragne  in  this 
Province,  put  you  in  mind  (by  Her  Maj’P  Express 
Com’and)  of  Passing  a Bill  or  Bills  for  the  Confirming  - 
the  Right  & Property  of  the  Soyle  of  this  Province  to 
the  Generali  Proprietors  according  to  their  Respective 
Rights  & Tytles;  and  Likewise  to  Confirm  and  Settle 
the  Perticular  Titles  and  Estates  of  all  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Province,  and  other  Purchasers  claiming  under 
the  Proprietors.  1 am  still  of  Opinion  that  Such  Bill 
or  Bills  will  best  Conduce  to  the  ImprovenT  of  this 
Province  as  well  as  to  the  Peace  & Quiett  of  it,  I did 
likewise  last  Year  Recomend  to  You  the  Passing  of 
Bills  for  Erecting,  and  Repareing  Prisons,  and  Court 
Houses,  in  the  Severall  Countys  of  this  Province:  and 


294  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  [1708 

the  Building  of  Bridges  in  those  places  where  they  are 
wanting;  and  which  will  never  be  well  done,  but  by  a 
Gene  rail  Tax  for  that  purpose;  very  late  experience 
has  taught  us  how  necessary  it  is  to  pass  a law  for  the 
Settling  the  Qualifications  of  Persons  to  Serve  upon 
Jurys;  therefore  I hope  you  will  take  Care  to  prepare 
such  Bills  to  be  passed  into  laws  as  will  answer  the 
purposes  aforemenc’ond. 

I can’t  conclude,  without  again  putting  you  in  mind 
of  Reviewing  the  Acts  of  Assembly  passed  in  the  time 
of  Proprietory  Governm*  that  if  any  of  them  may  .be 
of  Use  they  may  be  Re-enacted;  in  Order  to  be  humbly 
Represented  to  Her  Majesty  for  Her  Royal  Approba- 
c’on.  If  any  thing  else  occurs  to  You  fitt  to  be  pro- 
vided for,  by  a Law;  You  shall  all  ways  find  me  ready 
to  Consent  to  any  thing  that  may  be  for  the  Service  of 
the  Queen,  and  the  Real  good  and  advantage  of  the 
Country. 

Resolved  that  the  House  will  Resolve  it  self  into  a 
Grand  Com’ittee  of  the  whole  House,  at  two  a clock  in 
the  afternoon  to  consider  of  His  Excell’ : Speech. 

The  House  adjourned  till  two  a Clock. 

Ordered  that  all  the  members  of  this  House  attend 
the  service  of  the  House  at  two  a Clock  in  the  after- 
noon 

p.  M:  Ejust:  Diet  The  House  according  to  order  Resolved 
into  a Grand  Com’ittee  of  the  whole  House  to  Consider 
of  His  Excell’:  Speech  and  after  some  time  spent 
therein  M.r  Speaker  Resumed  the  Chair,  and  Cap1 
Farmer  Reported  from  said  Com’ittee  that  they  had 
made  some  Progress  in  the  matter  to  them  Ref  err’d; 
and  that  he  was  directed  to  move  that  they  might 
have  leave  to  Sitt  again  at  tenn  a Clock  to  morrow 
morning. 

Resolved  that  the  House  will  resolve  itself  into  a 
a Grand  Com’ittee  of  the  whole  House  at  ten  a Clock 


1708]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  295 

to  morrow  morning,  to  consider  farther  of  His  Excel? : 
Speech. 

The  House  adjourn’d  till  to  morrow  10  a Clock: 
A:  M: 

Die  Mercurii  a:  M: ) The  House  according  to  Order  Re- 
120  May  1708  | solved  into  a G-rand  Com’ittee  of  the 

whole  House,  and  after  some  time  spent  therein  M! 
Speaker  Resumed  the  Chair  and  Cap!  Farmer  Reported 
from  said  Com’ittee  that  they  had  considered  His 
Lordspd  Speech  in  all  it’s  parts,  and  had  drawn  up  an 
Answer  to  the  same,  which  they  directed  him  to 
Report  to  the  House. 

Ord’red  the  said  Answer  to  be  Read  Presently, 
which  was  Read  according. 

Motion  being  made  and  the  Question  put  whether 
the  Answer  to  His  Lord8?8  Speech  should  pass  as  it  was 
last  Read  in  the  House  It  pass’d  in  the  Affirmative, 
Nemine  Contradicente. 

The  House  adjurn’d  till  two  a Clock  Post:  M: 

p:  m:  Ejus’d:  i Ord’red  that  Mr  Machelson  & M.r  Price 
Diei  | wait  on  His  Lords?  to  know  when  His 
Lord8?  would  be  pleased  to  be  waited  on  by  the  House, 
with  an  Answer  to  His  Lordships  Speech. 

M1  Price  Reported,  that  Mr  Machelson  & himself  had 
waited  on  his  Excellc_y  with  the  above  message  and 
that  His  Lord8?  appointed  the  House  to  attend  him  at 
five  a Clock  in  the  Afternoon. 

A Letter  from  Cap-  Parker  making  his  Excuse  for 
not  attending  this  House  was  Read,  and  Referr’d  to 
farther  Consideration. 

M.r  Speaker  with  the  whole  House  went  to  attend 
His  Lord8?  with  their  Answer  & Read  the  same  & 
delivered  it  to  his  Lordship;  and  is  as  folio weth. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency. 

Wee  the  Representatives  of  this  Her  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince of  New  Jersey  in  Gen11  Assembly  mett  and  As- 


296  LORD  CORXBUR  Y'*S  ADMINISTRATION.  [1708 

sembled,  do  with  Lovall  hearts,  and  willing  minds 
Imbrace  this  Oppert  unity,  to  Testifie  how  ready  and 
desireous  we  are.  as  we  always  have  been  to  maintain 
and  Support,  Her  most  Sacred  Majty8  Gove  rum1  over  us 
to  the  utmost  of  our  poor  Ability s,  and  are  hearty 
Sorry,  that  any  Misunderstanding  has  happen'd  be- 
tween Yor  Excell0:  and  us. 

Wee  Indeed  about  a Year  agoe  humbly  Represented 
to  Yor  Excell':  Some  of  those  many  Grievances  our 
Country  then  layboured  under,  most  of  which  doe  yet 
remain;  and  are  very  Sorry  we  are  forced  to  Say,  that 
they  have  and  doe  Still  dayly  Increase,  we  find  Her 
Ma  jest  vs  Good  Subjects  of  this  Province  have  been, 
and  are  dayly  persecuted  upon  Informac.'ons  upon  very 
frivolus  pretences,  a Method  Which  renders  that  Excel- 
lent and  happy  Constitution  of  Grand  Jury's  useless; 
and  if  Continued,  puts  it  in  the  power  of  an  Attorney 
Generali  to  raise  his  fortune  upon  the  Ruins  of  our 
Country. 

Wee  find  it's  a great  charge  to  our  Country  that 
Jurvs  and  Evidences  are  brought  from  the  Remotest 
parts  of  the  Province  to  the  Supream  Courts  at  Bur- 
lington & Amboy. 

We  find  it's  a great  Grte vance  to  our  Country  that 
the  practice  of  the  Law  are  so  precarious  that  when 
Innocent  Persons  are  prosecuted  upon  Informac'ons 
and  Actions  brought  by  some  Persons  against  severall 
of  Her  Majesty’s  good  Subjects,  the  Gentlemen  who 
are  Lycensed  to  practice  the  Law  are  a braid  to  appear 
for  the  Defendants,  or  if  they  doe  appeal',  dare  not 
discharge  then’  Duty  to  then'  Chants,  for  fear  of  being 
Suspended  without  been  convict  of  any  Crime,  deserv- 
ing it,  or  Reason  assign’d  as  was  done  at  Burlington  in 
May  last,  to  the  Damage  of  many  of  Her  Majesty’s 
Subjects. 

Wee  find  the  Representatives  of  this  Her  Majesty’s 
Province,  so  Slighted  and  then'  Com’ands  so  little 


1708]  lord  cornbury’s  administration.  297 

regarded,  that  the  Cleark  of  the  Crown  has  refused  to 
Issue  out  a Writt  for  the  Electing  a Member  wanting 
in  our  House. 

Wee  hope  your  ExcelP/  will  Consider  and  Remove 
these  and  Many  other  Inconvenienc’s  and  Grievances, 
which  this  poore  Province  Labours  under;  which  will 
Enable  us  to  Exert  the  utmost  of  our  Abilitvs  in  Sup- 
porting Her  Majty8  Governnfi  And  will  make  us  happy 
under  the  mild  & meek  Administration  of  the  Greatest 
and  most  Glorious  of  Queen’s  we  doubt  not  were  Her 
Majty  Rightly  Informed  of  the  Poverty  and  Circum- 
stances of  our  Country,  and  that  Our  Livelyhoods 
depends  upon  the  Seasons  of  the  Year;  Our  Most  Gra- 
tious  Soveragne  would  Pitty  our  Condition,  and  never 
Expect  the  Settlement  of  any  Support  of  the  Govern- 
ment, further  than  from  Yeare  to  Yeare. 

Wee  find  the  Present  Militia  Bill  so  great  a Griev- 
ance to  our  Country,  that  wee  can  never  think  of 
Reviving  or  Re-enacting  it,  as  now  it  is,  tho’  we  hearty 
willing  to  Provide  for  the  Defence  of  our  Country  which 
we  hope  may  be  done,  with  greater  Ease  to  the  People. 

Wee  have  been,  and  Still  are,  Endeavouring  to 
Answer  Her  Majesty’s  Comands  in  Confirming  the 
Rights  and  property,  of  the  Soyle  of  this  Province,  to 
the  Generali  Proprietors  thereof  according  to  their 
Respective  Rights  & Tytles  and  Likewise  to  Confirm 
the  Perticular  Tytles  A Estates  of  all  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Province;  and  other  Purchasers  Claiming  under 
the  Proprietors;  but  tho’  we  have  had  Severall  Opper- 
tunitys  of  meeting  in  Gen1.1  Assemblys,  Y ett  have  not 
had  an  Opertunity  to  Perfect  it. 

Wee  humbly  Acknowledge  your  Excellencys  favour 
in  putting  us  in  mind  of  Providing  Prisons,  Court 
Houses  and  Bridges,  where  such  are  wanting  which 
we  shall  take  into  Consideration. 

Wee  had  a Bill  for  Settling  the  Qualifications  of 
Jury’s  prepared  last  Sitting,  at  Amboy;  and  shall  now 
present  it. 


298  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

Wee  can’t  Omitt  Rendring  yor  Excellency  our  hearty 
thanks,  for  minding  us  of  Revising  of  our  former 
Law’s,  we  had  last  Sitting  at  Amboy,  appointed  a 
Com’ittee  for  that  End;  but  were  Impeded  by  Mr 
Basse  the  Secretary’s  positive  refusing  to  let  us  have 
the  perusall  of  them. 

As  we  have  always  used  our  utmost  endeavours  in 
the  faithfull  Service  of  our  Queen  and  the  advancing 
the  Good  and  benefitt  of  our  Country;  so  we  shall  still 
continue  to  doe  the  Same,  with  all  the  Dispatch  wee 
are  Capable  of. 

Divers  of  the  Members  of  this  Assembly  being  of  the 
People  call’d  Quakers  doe  Assent  to  the  Matter  and 
Substance,  but  make  Some  Exceptions  to  the  Stile 
, By  Order  of  the  House 

Thomas  Gordon  Speaker 

DieMercurii  A;M:  ) PlNHORN  Cl:— 

120  May  1708  ) His  Lord?  was  pleased  to  Ad j urn  the 

Assembly  to  the  third  Tuesday  in  Septemb:  next  to 
meet  at  Amboy. 

End  of  the  Third  Sitting  of  the  3d  Assembly. 

J:  Pinhorne. 


From  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Secretary  of  State , 
with  draft  of  a Commission  to  Lord  Lovelace  to  he 
Governor  of  New  Jersey . 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  No.  12,  p.  329.  J 

To  the  Right  HonWe  the  Earl  of  Sunderland, 
Her  Majesty’s  Principal  Secretary  of  State. 
My  Lord. 

Having  pursuant  to  Your  Lordship’s  letter  of  the 
28th  of  last  Month,  prepared  the  Draught  of  a Com’is- 
sion  for  the  Right  Honble  the  Lord  Lovelace  to  be 
Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  Her  Majes- 
ty’s Province  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  room  of  the  Lord 
Cornbury;  We  transmit  the  same  to  your  Lordship,1 

1 It  is  thought  unnecessary  to  print  the  Commission,  as,  excepting  some  slight 
verbal  alterations,  it  was  the  same  as  that  given  to  Lord  Cornbury,  for  which  see 
Vol.  I,  pp.  489-500.—  Ed. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOYELACE.  299 

together  with  a Representation  for  laying  the  said 
Draught  before  Her  Majesty  in  Council;  and  are, 

My  Lord,  Your  Lordship’s  most  humble  Servants, 
J.  Pulteney.  Stamford. 
Whitehall  i R.  Monckton.  Herbert. 

April  ye  19th  Ph:  Meadows. 

1708.  ) 


Nominations  for  the  Council  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.,  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C,23/| 

List  of  Persons  proposed  to  be  of  the  Council  of 
New  Jersey  Rec’ed  from  Ld  Lovelace  & 
Propriet1-8  12^  May  1708 
New  Jersey 

Rich(l  Ingoldesby  Lfc  Govr 
E Coll  Lewis  Morris 
E William  Pinhorn  1 
W Georg  Deacon 
E William  Sandford 
Roger  Mompesson 
Miles  Foster  [Forster] 

Richd  Townley 
Hugh  hoddy 
William  hall 
John  Harrison 

Capt  Hamilton  Son  of  yc  late  Gov1.’ 

!This  gentleman 
who  had  filled 
many  prominent 
positions  in  New 
York  prior  to  his 
connection  with 
New  ' Jersey  af- 
fairs, arrived  in 
that  province  on 
7th  August,  1678, 
being  a fellow- 
passenger  with 

Governor  Andros  on  board  the  Ship  Blossom.  His  first  office  in  New  York  appears  to 
have  been  that  of  alderman,  and  in  1685  he  became  member  of  the  assembly.  In  1690 


300 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


Objections  by  some  of  the  Proprietors , to  the  continu- 
ance in  office  of  several  members  of  the  Council  of 
New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  34.] 

Objections  against  Some  of  the  present  Coun- 
cell of  the  United  Provences  of  East  and 
West  New  Jersey,  humbly  Submitted  to 
the  Consideration  of  the  Right  Honoble  the 
Lords  Comirs  for  Trade  and  plantations,  by 
severall  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  said 
United  Provinces.1 

Thomas  Reuell  [Re veil],  besides  his  detaining  our 


he  was  appointed  one  of  Gov.  Slaughter’s  council.  In  1691  was  Recorder  of  the  city 
and  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  province.  Having  removed  to 
New  Jersey  in  1692  he  was  suspended  from  his  offices  on  account  of  his  non-residence, 
but  was  reinstated  the  following  year  on  his  resuming  his  residence  in  New  York. 
In  1698,  political  power  having  got  into  the  hands  of  those  inimical  to  him,  he  was 
again  suspended  and  returned  to  his  plantation  in  New  Jersey,  which  consisted  of 
more  than  a thousand  acres  between  the  Hackensack  and  Passaic  Rivers,  described 
in  Scot’s  “ Model  of  the  Government  of  East  Jersey  ” (p  137)  as  a brave  planta- 
tion near  unto  Snake  Hill,”  being  one  half  of  a tract  bought  by  Edward  Earl,  Jr.,  in 
April,  1676.  He  paid  therefor  “ and  for  one  half  of  the  stock  Christian  and  negro 
servants,  five  hundred  pounds.”  Not  being  willing  to  lose  his  opportunity  for  ad- 
vancement in  public  life,  Mr.  Pinhome  gave  up  his  residence  in  New  Jersey  and  re- 
moved to  New  York  in  1693.  He  became  one  of  Governor  Basse’s  council  in  1698  ; 
and  also  the  Second  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  His  associate  was  Roger 
Mompesson  who  afterwards  married  his  daughter.  The  arrival  of  Lord  Bellomont 
as  Governor  of  New  York  caused  such  a change  in  the  political  atmosphere  of  the 
Province,  that  Pinhorne  was  suspended  from  his  offices  of  Judge  and  Councillor  on 
the  charge  of  having  “ spoke  most  scandalous  and  reproachful  words  ” of  the  King  ; 
and  he  returned  to  his  plantation  on  the  Hackensack  river.  It  “became  his  future 
residence  ” says  Mr.  Field  “ and  was  honored  with  the  name  of  ‘ Mount  Pinhome; 
certainly  a more  euphonious  appellation  thau  Snake  Hill.  It  was  the  seat  of  simple 
but  not  inelegant  hospitality,  and  the  home  of  a numerous  family.”  He  was  ap- 
pointed by  Lord  Combury  second  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  Jersey,  and 
as  such  took  his  seat  on  the  Bench  at  the  first  term,  held  at  Burlington,  November, 
1704  ; having  been  appointed  previously  one  of  the  Governor’s  Council.  He  held 
various  other  positions  in  the  following  years,  and  married  a daughter  of  Lieutenant 
Governor  lngoldsby  ; a relationship  which  caused  him  to  be  made  a participant  in 
some  of  the  injurious  comments  upon  the  name  of  that  functionary.  He  also  had 
to  share  in  the  obloquy  cast  upon  his  associate  Chief  Justice  Mompesson,  who  was 
his  son-in-law  ; so  that  in  conjunction  with  the  fact  that  he  had  to  bear  up  under 
considerable  odium  for  asserted  official  misconduct,  it  has  to  be  admitted  that  he 
was  not  personally  popular.  On  the  arrival  of  Governor  Hunter,  in  1711,  Mr.  Pin- 
horne’s  dismissal  from  office  was  asked  for  but  it  did  not  come  until  1715.  There- 
after he  took  no  part  in  public  affairs  and  died  in  the  first  part  of  1720.— Field’s 
Provincial  Courts,  pp.  73—82;  East  Jersey  under  the  Proprietors,  2d  edition,  p.  406 
&c. ; N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  HI,  p.  716:  Winfield’s  Hudson  County,  pp.  126— 127.— Ed. 

1 Received  19th  May,  1708. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  301 

money  and  taking  part  with  Coll.  Cox  to  defeat  us  of 
our  purchase  from  his  Father,  he  was  one  of  the  per- 
sons made  use  of  by  Ld  Cornbury  to  keep  out  Unjustly 
three  of  the  Members  of  the  Assembly  untill  they  had 
procured  Severall  Acts  to  pass  Contrary  to  his  Lordps 
Instructions  and  very  prejudiciall  to  the  Country,  and 
to  the  Rights  of  the  Proprietors,  as  more  fully  appears 
by  the  Depositions  of  John  Hamilton  and  George  In- 
goldesby,  to  which  we  referr  yo-  Lordp.s  he  is  likewise 
represented  to  us,  as  having  no  land  in  the  province, 
and  Guilty  of  a Notorious  fact  in  furthering  the  Es 
cape  of  one  pursued  for  Burglary  accompanied  with 
very  Extraordinary  Circumstances  aggravating  the 
Crime. 

Daniell  Leeds  another  of  the  Cornbury s Instru- 

ments in  the  matter  above  related  as  appears  by  the 
aforemenc’oned  Depositions. 

Robert  Quarry1  represented  to  us  as  having  no  Land 
in  the  Province,  and  Joynes  with  Reuell  and  Cox  in 
their  Unwarrantable  practices 

Peter  Sonmans  a person  of  a broken  fortune,  he 
went  over  with  a pretended  and  most  Illegall  power, 
from  some  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Eastern  Division, 
in  the  name  of  the  whole  by  vertue  whereof  he  was 
admitted  by  the  Lord  Cornbury  as  Agent  and  Receiver 
of  the  Quitt  Rents,  notwithstanding  there  was  another 
person  duely  authorized  for  that  purpose,  but  he  hav- 
ing his  LordH8  favour  proceeds  in  Executing  his  Arbi- 
traL*y  and  Illegall  Commission,  and  if  Continued  of  the 
Councill,  will  be  too  much  Countenanced  in  his  viola- 
tions of  the  proprietors  Rights  and  Justice  more  diffi- 
cultly obteyned  against  him. 

Daniel  Cox2  by  his  Interest  with  the  Lord  Cornbury 
hath  been  Incouraged  to  sett  up  a pretended  title  to 
Lands  purchased  by  us  of  his  Father,  and  is  in  Con- 
federacy with  Reuell  Sonmans  and  others  to  defeat  the 


1 For  notice  of  Robert  Quary  see  Vol  II  p 2W4. 

2 For  notice  of  Daniel  Coxe  see  Page  116. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


30* 


[1708 


proprietors  of  their  Rights,  and  to  promote  Illegal  and 
Arbitrary  proceedings. 

The  particulars  to  which  these  facts  Relate  have  been 
so  fully  made  out  by  Letters,  and  by  the  Informa’con 
of  persons  come  from  thence,  that  wee  have  no  Ground 
to  doubt  the  truth  of  them,  and  therefore  humbly 
Offer  that  in  the  place  of  the  aforemen’coned  persons. 

These  Subjoined  or  some  of  them  may  be  of  the 


Councell, 

being  men  of  Estates,  and  known  Integrity 

(viz) 

*’E 

Miles  Foster  [Forster Jl 

E 

Richard  Townley 

W 

Hugh  Hoddy 

W 

Will1?  Hall  " 

w 

John  Harrison 

w 

John  Hamilton 

All  which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  yor  Lord?8 

19th  May  1708  Tho  Lane 

Paul-  Doeminique 
H.  Bennet 
Rob  Michel  • 

Jn°  Bridges. 

E.  Richier 
Jos:  Brooksbank 
Fra8  Michel 


1 Miles  Forster  is 
first  mentioned  in 
the  provincial  rec- 
ords in  1684.  as  depu- 
ty to  William  Haige. 
the  Receiver  and 
Surveyor  General, 
and  in  1687  he  was 
made  Collector  of 
From  1689  to  1695  he  seems  to  have  had  his  resi- 
dence in  New  York,  and  is  called  “merchant.'’  As  some  indication  of  the  estima- 
tion in  which  he  was  held,  it  may  be  stated  that  Col.  Lewis  Morris,  father  of  Gov. 
Morris,  appointed  him  one  of  his  executors  in  1690.  He  subsequently  became  a 
resident  of  Perth  Amboy,  where  he  held  considerable  property.  He  died  in  1710. 
and  William  Bradford,  the  printer,  of  New  York,  was  one  of  his  executors  His 
wife  was  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Gawen  Lawrie,  Deputy  Governor  of  the  Province 
prior  to  1687. — See  Whitehead’s  History  of  Perth  Amboy.  &c..  p.  46. — Ed. 

2 The  letters  “E”  and  “W”  designate  the  locality  whence  the  persons  were 
taken,  either  East  or  West  Jersey. -Ed. 


the  Customs  at  Perth  Amboy. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


303 


1708] 


Letter  from  William  Penn  to  William  Popple , Secre- 
tary to  the  Lords  of  Trade , respecting  Messr"  Revell 
and  Leeds. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C,  27.] 

Letter  from  Mr.  Penn  signifying  that  he  thinks 
it  for  the  advantage  of  New  Jersey  that 
Mr  Revel  and  Leeds  be  not  continued  in  the 
Council  of  that  Province  Rece’d  27th  May 
1708 

26.  3“  (May)  1708 

Esteemed  Friend 

Considering  the  reason  of  ye  Settlenf  of  West  Jersey 
especially,  and  the  reall  Interest  of  the  same  with  re- 
spect to  the  encouragenk  and  Satisfaction  of  the  most 
valluable  inhabitants  in  ye  place,  I am  of  opinion  Leave- 
ing  those  Persons,  Tho  : Revell  & Daniel  Leeds  out  of 
the  Council!,  will  tend  most  to  publick  quiet  and  Satis- 
faction of  ye  people  of  those  part s,  wch  I take  to  be  of 
moment  at  this  time,  on  divers  acc^  one  Keeble  yl  is  to 
be  w^  ye  Lords,  knows  them  both,  pray^  ask  him  & 
favour  his  proposall  of  a Noble  Staple,  Potash,  to  en- 
crease  our  Returns  (our  present  defect)  & believe  that 
I am 

Thy  assured  & affec1  Friend 


304 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


Memorial  of  John  Keble  to  the  Loy  ds  of  Ti'ade , relating 
to  the  manufacture  of  Pot  ashes  in  New  Jersey 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  0 23  and  C 43.] 

Memorial  from  Mr  Keble  proposing  to  set  up  a 
Manufacture  of  Pot- Ashes  in  New  Jersey, 
with  her  Majesty’s  assistance,  & praying 
a Patent  for  the  Salt  Pans  in  that  Province 
Rece’d  27^  May  1708. 

To  the  Right  honourable  the  Lords  Comisioners 
for  her  Majesties  Plantations  in  America: 

The  Case  of  John  Keble  of  West  Jersey  adjoyning  to 
Pensilvania  Merchant  most  humbly  representeth — 

The  said  John  Keble  did  about  eight  years  past  go 
over  to  Pensilvania  with  considerable  Effects  and  there 
purchased  a certain  tract  of  Land,  whereon  he  planted 
Tobacco  and  Indian  Corn  and  set  up  likewise  a Pot- 
ash Work,  but  it  so  hap’ned  that  both  himself  & Ser- 
vants fell  sick  of  the  Seasonings,  which  deprived  him 
of  severall  of  his  Servants  & all  his  Crop,  which  Un- 
happy devastation  he  was  no  way  able  to  retrieve,  yet 
by  the  assistance  of  a few  Friends  on  the  Place  he  car- 
ryed  on  (what  was  chiefly  aimed  att)  his  Pot-ash  Work 
& brought  the  said  manufacture  to  such  Perfection  as 
(upon  ye  Trial  of  some  of  it  imported  here,)  to  be  well 
approved  by  the  Soap  Makers  in  London,  this  gave 
him  encouragement  to  go  on,  with  the  said  Work,  & 
having  embarqued  a large  quantity  for  England  with 
hopes  of  a good  return  ye  Ship  & Cargo  was  Unfortu- 
nately taken  by  ye  French,  which  utterly  disabled  ye 
said  John  Keble  in  ye  progress  of  so  hopefull  an  un- 
dertaking. without  a Suitable  assistance,  whereof  he 
has  no  prospect  (since  his  former  unhappy  defeat)  but 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORI)  LOVELACE. 


305 


1708  | 


from  yc  Publick,  to  Benefit  ye  farther  prosecution  & 
success  of  y*  said  Work  will  manifestly  redound,  viz: 

By  ye  increase  of  her  Majesties  Customs  (the  said 
Pot-ash  paying  £4-1 0s  P Ton)  ye  case  of  Returns  P Ex- 
change, being  now  £50-or  60  P O'  & by  this  means 
promote  yl  greater  Consumption  of  our  Woolen  & 
Linnen  manufactures  & divert  ye  attempts  of  making 
them  in  ye  aforesaid  Plantations. 

Now  to  enable  yl  said  John  Keble  to  pursue  the  pro- 
duce of  this  so  .(?)..  a manufac- 

ture he  humbly  begs  y‘  advance  of  such  a Sum  of 
money  as  may  be  deemed  Expedient,  & ye  grant  of 
a patent  foryc  making  of  Salt  in  her  Majesties  Colonies 
in  North  America,  being  he  is  the  first  projecture  of 
it,  wch  is  a main  help  he  proposes  to  himself  (by  yc  pro- 
duct of  Salt,  and  yl  ashes  made  under  ye  Salt  Pans)  to 
support  & carry  on  ye  said  Pot-ash  Work  he  not  taking 
more  than  3?  P Bush  Sterling  money  from  ye  Pans. 
That  your  honours  may  be  pleased,  so  to  Expose  this 
Case  of  Defeated  Industry  truly  represented,  as  to 
make  apply  cation  to  her  Majestie  on  this  behalf,  yl  she 
will  be  graciously  pleased  to  grant  him  a Patent  for  ye 
Salt  Pans,  & such  a Sum  of  money  as  by  a modest 
Computation  may  encourage  & enable  him  to  proceed 
in  this  Usefull  design,  to  accomplish  what  he  hath 
with  great  expence  and  durance  already  begun  is  ye 
humble  & earnest  request  of 

Your  Honours  most  humble  ServJ 
John  Keble. 


Certificate  from  the  Honourable  Wm  Penn  Esq  : 
& others. 

Wee  whose  Names  are  hereunder  written  being  sen- 
sible of  the  great  Expence  and  Losses  (by  Sundry  ac- 
cidents) yor  Petic’oner  John  Keble  hath  sustained  in 
20 


300  ADMINISTRATION-  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

bringing  the  Pot-ash  manufacture  to  such  perfection 
as  to  be  approv’d  by  the  Soap-boylers  in  London  and 
that  the  said  John  Keble  is  the  cheif  who  by  his  Art 
& Industry  hath  given  apparent  hope  of  producing  a 
Staple  ConTodity  in  the  Queens  Colony’s  in  North  Am- 
erica as  will  effectually  help  the  Country  to  returns  & 
so  to  augment  & expedite  Trade  which  hitherto  are 
very  difficult  and  chargeable  to  make  Remittalls  being 
at  50£.  or  60£.  if  not  70£  P cent.  Doe  therefore 
humbly  recomend  the  said  John  Keble  as  a fitt  person 
to  be  encouraged  in  the  future  progress  of  his  Under- 
taking of  the  said  Pot-ash  worke  which  we  are  per- 
s waded  he  will  faithfully  perform  to  the  Publick  good 
as  well  as  private  Utility. 

Evan  Evans  Minister  of  Philadelphia 
W P Nane  of  New  Jersey 

W“  Penn  Phil 
Jn°  Hinney  of  Pena 
James  Thomas  of  Pens14 


Memorial  of  Peter  Sonmans  to  Governor  Cornbury , 
against  John  Harrison,  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas. 1 

jFrom  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  74.  | 

To  his  Excell0!  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury, 
Cap*  Generali,  & Governour  in  Chief ; in, 
and  over  Her  Majestys  Provinces  of  New 
Jersey,  New  York,  and  of  all  the  Territories, 
& Land,  depending  thereon,  in  America,  & 
Vice  Admirall  of  the  same  in  Councill. 

The  Memorial  of  the  Agent  of  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Eastern  Division  of  New  Jersey. 

Humbly  Representeth. 

That  upon  a full  hearing  before  your  Excellencie  in 


1 Referred  to  in  Mr.  Dockwra’s  Memorial  of  Oct.  31,  1709.-  Ed. 


1708] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


307 

Councill,  of  all  the  Objections,  made  against  the  said 
Agents  Deputation,  by  the  said  Proprietors:  and  of  the 
Powers  and  Authority  given  him,  Your  Ex  cell0:'  by 
Proclamation  dated  at  Perth  Amboy  the  91!'  of  Novem- 
ber last  past:  was  pleased  to  confirm  the  approbac’on 
made-  by  your  Lordsp  in  Councill  (the  2P!1  Aug;  last 
year)  of  the  said  Deputac’on  pursuant  to  Her  MajlP 
Instruction  : and  further  by  said  Proclamac’on : To  re- 
quire all  & every  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Sher- 
iffs, and  other  of  Her  Majestys  Officers  for  the  time 
being;  in  the  said  Province  ; to  be  aiding  and  assisting, 
unto  the  said  agent  from  time,  to  time. 

That  noth  withstanding  Yor  Excell0''8  Comands 
thus  publisht,  Capt.  Jn°  Harrison  altho  Honor’d  with 
a Comission  of  the  Peace  and  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Com’on  Pleas,  for  the  County  of  Middlesex,  in  the  said 
Province;  has  been  so  fan*  from  obeying  yor  Excell0!8 
Proclamation;  that  he  has  with  the  utmost  dilligence 
endeavourtd  to  obstruct.  Defame,  & Scandalize  the 
said  Agent,  not  only  in  all  parts  of  the  said  Province; 
but  also  in  all  other  places,  particularly  on  the  loV1  day 
of  Aprill  last,  at  the  House  of  Theopliilus  Pearson,  at 
the  town  of  Newark,  in  the  County  of  Essex;  the 
Court  then  sitting  there  ; In  Derogac’on  of  Yor  Lo!I’ 
Judgem-,  in  the  Councill,  grounded  upon  a long  debate 
by  Councill  at  Law  on  both  sides;  In  Opposition  to  the 
the  said  Proclamac’on,  in  Defiance  of  Yor  Excellcy  au- 
thority; took  upon  him  to  say,  & declare  Publickly,  in 
the  Presence  of  Major  W“  Sandford,  and  diver  others; 
that  he  did  not  vallue  the  said  Agent  more  than 
the  Dirt  under  his  feet;  for  that  the  said  Agent  was 
fled  out  of  England  for  his  debts;  and  that  he  wou’d 
do  the  same  from  here,  before  two  years  was  Expired. 

That  the  said  Agent  had  no  Authority  as  he  pre- 
tended, relating  to  the  Proprietors  affairs,  nor  power 
to  receive  the  Quitt. Rents,  of  the  said  Eastern  Division; 
and  he  the  sl-  Harrison  offer’d  to  lay  a wager  of  £10, 
that  whosoever  paid  any  money  for  Quitt  Rents  to  the 


308  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

said  Agent,  wou’d  be  forc’t  to  pay  it  over  again.  That 
the  said  Agents  Com’ission  for  that  purpose  was  of  no 
force,  or  effect,  altho  Signed  by  some  Prop!!  but  that 
some  of  them  had  been  dead  two  years  before  the 
said  Agent  left  England.  The  said  Harrison  then  & 
there  read  a letter,  which  he  alledged  came  from  her 
MajlI  declaring  that  the  said  Agents  father  was  an 
Alien  at  his  Death,  to  which  the  said  Harrison  added 
that  the  said  Agent  was  an  Alien  as  well  as  his  father, 
therefore  insinuating  that  the  said  Agent  had  not  the 
least  Right  to  any  Land,  nor  cou’d  manage  the  Affairs 
of  the  said  Proprietors;  all  which  and  many  more 
Scurrilous  things,  the  said  Harrison  said,  Severall 
times  before,  against  the  said  Agent;  the  said  Agent  is 
ready  to  procure,  when  ever  Yo-  Excels  shall  please 
to  appoint. 

That  by  these  false  aspersions,  especially  considering 
the  Station  Yor  Excelli7  has  been  pleased  to  put  the 
said  Harrison  in,  which  has  so  farr  imposed  upon  many 
(Especially  the  Inhabitants  of  Newark  aforesaid,  who 
before  declared  they  were  not  against  paying  their 
Quitt  Rents;  but  have  now  sent  word  to  the  said  Agent, 
they  will  not  pay  any;  but  resolve  to  stand  Try  all 
with  him),  that  the  said  Agent  dayly  meets  with  insu- 
perable Instructions,  & Difficulties,  in  gathering  the 
said  Quitt-Rents;  and  performing  the  other  parts  of  his 
Agency;  as  well  as  in  prosecuting  his  own  private 
Affairs  whereby  the  Proprietors  not  only  loose  the 
benefitt  of  Her  Majestys  Gratious  Instructions  to  your 
Excellency  on  their  behalf : but  are  also  absolutely  frus- 
trated of  Yor  Excellency s favours  in  Assisting  their 
Agent. 

Wherefore  the  said  Agent  finds  himself  Obliged  to 
Represent  to  Yor  Excellencys  in  Councill  these  things  ; 
and  to  pray  such  Remedy,  as  your  ExcelPI  in  your 
Wisdom  and  Justice  shall  think  fitt;  to  which  it’s 
humbly  Submitted  by  &c! 


Peter  Sonmans. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


309 


Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  on  Lord  Love- 
lace’s Instructions . 


To  the  Queen  Most  Excellent  Majesty. 

Having  in  obedience  to  Your  Majesty’s  commands 
laid  before  your  Majesty  the  Draughts  of  Commissions 
for  the  Right  Honble  the  Lord  Lovelace  to  be  yr  Ma- 
jesty’s Captain  General  and  Govr  in  Chief  of  Your  Ma- 
jesty’s Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey;  we 
herewith  humbly  lay  before  Your  Majesty  the 
Draughts  of  Instructions  to  his  Lordship,  for  the  said 
Governments,  which  Instructions  are  to  the  same  pur- 
pose as  those  that  have  from  time  to  time  been  given 
to  the  Lord  Cornbury. 1 

And  whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  us  by  sev- 
eral of  the  most  considerable  proprietors  of  the  Wes- 
tern division  of  that  Province,  that  Thomas  Revel  & 
Daniel  Leeds,  two  members  of  Y1  Majesty’s  said  Coun 
cill  for  the  said  Division  have  been  concerned  in  ar- 
bitrary proceedings,  which  have  rendered  them  unac- 
ceptable to  the  said  Proprietors,  and  thereby  less  able 
to  serve  Your  Majesty  in  that  Station.  We  therefore 
humbly  offer  that  William  Hall,  and  John  Harrison, 
who  have  been  recommended  to  us  by  the  said  Pro- 
prietors as  persons  fitly  qualified  to  serve  Yom*  Ma- 
jesty, may  be  constituted  members  of  your  Majesty’s 
said  Council,  in  the  stead  of  the  said  Revel,  and  Leed’s 
and  that  their  names  be  accordingly  inserted  in  the  In- 
structions herewith  humbly  laid  before  Your  Majesty.2 

Which  are  most  humb  : submitd  Stamford 


1 See  Vol.  II.,  pp.  506—536 

3 Request  granted  at  a meeting  of  the  Queen  in  Council,  June  26th.  1708.  X. 
Y.Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  V.,  p.  115.— Ed. 


[From  New  York  Col.  Docts,  Vol.  V.,  p.  42.] 


Whitehall 
May  the  31st  1708. 


Herbert 
Ph:  Meadow 
Jn°  Pulteney 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


:no 


[1708 


Memorial  from  Joseph  Ormston  against  the  contin- 
uance of  Peter  Son-mans  in  the  Council  of  New 
Jersey . 

| From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  36. J 

To  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  Trade  & the 
Plantations. 

The  Memorial l of  Joseph  Ormston  of  London  Marcht. 
Humbly  Sheweth 

That  he  having  receaved  yesterday  Information, 
that  one  Peter  Sonmans  was  nominated  of  the  Gov- 
ernors Councill  in  the  province  of  Nova  Cesaria,  or 
East  & West  New  Jersey  in  America,  he  thought 
himselfe  in  duty  bound  to  Lay  before  the  Lords  Com- 
m's  the  unfitnes  of  the  sd  Peter  Sonmans,  to  serve  in 
that  station  for  the  reasons  following  and  humbly  to 
request  that  his  name  may  not  be  put  into  the  Com- 
mission, till  the  Lords  Conutfs  are  pleased  to  hear  not 
only  the  proof  of  the  following  reasons,  but  also  what 
he  the  sd  Joseph  hath  further  to  offer  against  him — 

1°  He  the  sd  Peter,  In  joys  no  Land  in  either  of  the 
Divisions,  but  what  he  derives  a right  to,  from  his 
father  Arent  Sonmans,  the  purchaser  thereof,  who 
Avas  an  Alien,  born  in  Holland,  and  never  naturalized. 

2°  The  Queen  hath  been  pleased  to  Assert  her  Pre- 
rogative and  to  assume  to  her  selfe  the  light  of  those 
Lands  as  being  the  estate  of  an  Alien,  of  which  she 
Avas  further  graciously  pleased  to  gWe  her  grant  unto 
him  the  sd  Joseph  Ormston,  and  Rachell  his  wife  (a 
daughter  of  the  sd  Arent,  Sonmans)  in  trust  for  the 
said  Arent’ 


1 See  Notices  of  the  Sonmans  family  in  ‘ Contributions  to  the  Early  History  of 
Perth  Amboy,”  p.  75. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


311 


1708] 


3°  The  said  grant  hath  been  published  and  acknowl- 
edged in  the  province  aforesd  and  the  people  there 
have  esteemed  it  good,  tho  the  Ld  Cornbury  for  some 
reasons  best  known  to  himself e,  declined  to  act  in  pur- 
suance thereof — 

L°  The  sd  Joseph  doth  humbly  Conceive  that  appoint- 
ing the  sd  Peter  of  the  Governors  Councill,  will  be 
deemed  a Recognizing  of  his  the  sd  Peters  right,  in 
manifest  prejudice  of  the  Queens  right,  who  hath  been 
pleased  to  grant  as  above,  all  Lands  possest  by  the 
sd  Peter,  in  right  of  his  father — 

5?  The  sd  Joseph  also  Conceives,  & in  all  humility 
mentions,  that  it  will  appear  to  be  an  Inconsistency  in 
the  Queens  proceeding  first  to  grant  the  Lands  possest 
hy  the  s.d  Peter  to  another,  and  afterwards  to  appoint 
him  of  the  Governors  Councill  for  which  he  cannot  be 
qualifyed.  Except  he  is  an  Eminent  Landholder  there. 

6°  The  sd  Peter  can  be  deemed  no  other  than  an 
Itinerant  person,  and  no  Inhabitant  of  the  province 
his  wife  and  family  having  ever  since  his  going  Over, 
Lived  in  Cheeswick  in  the  County  of  Midd’x  where 
they  still  continue. 

Lastly — The  sd  Peter  is  a man  very  unacceptable  to 
the  Countrev  as  doth  appear  by  severall  remonstrances 
of  the  Assembly  of  the  Province  to  the  Ld  Cornbury, 
printed  Copys  whereof  are  ready  to  be  produced  and 
the  Inhabitants  will  hope  for  so  much  bounty  and 
goodness  from  the  Queen,  as  that  a person  so  ill  quali- 
fyed for  other  reasons  also,  should  not  be  appointed  of 
the  Governors  Councill,  and  Consequently  a Judge 
over  them — 

Joseph  Ormston 

June  1°  1708. 


[A  few  days  subsequently  (received  June  18) 


312 


ADMINISTRATION*  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


lie  submittted  another  Memorial  as  fol- 
lows:] 

That  he  conceives  to  have  made  sufficiently  appear 
that  the  Majority  of  the  Prop's  residing  in  & about 
London,  did  not  sign  peter  Sonmans  his  Com m?  so 
consequently  void,  by  Mr  Dockwras 
That  such  Prop's  were  acknowledged  to  be  such  by 
sd  Dockwra.  and  for  a more  Clear  view  of  the  case, 
the  sd  Joseph  referres  to  the  Annexed  paper — 

That  he  hopes  William  Dockwra  shall  be  accounted 
only  a single  prop',  since  he  derives  the  other  from 
P?  Sonmans,  who  had  no  right  to  Convey,  as  appears 
by  the  Late  Attorney  Genlls  report,  who  doth  positive- 
ly declare  the  right  to  be  in  the  Crown — 

That  since  the  Ld  Comm's  are  pleased  to  Exclude 
the  daughters  of  Arent  Sonmans,  tho  it  did  appear  they 
were  recognized  by  all  the  prop's,  by  W“  Dockwra, 
& even  Peter  Sonmans  himselfe.  and  tho  they  have 
the  same  evidences  to  produce  for  their  right,  as  Wm 
Dockwra  hath  for  his.  and  also  the  will  of  their  de- 
ceased father  (an  authentick  Copy  whereof  is  in  Sec  ry 
Boyles  office)  he  the  sd  Joseph  doth  hope  that  Peter 
Sonmans,  shall  not  be  adjudged  to  give  any  vote  in  his 
own  right,  nor  deemed  qualifyed  to  be  of  the  Councill. 
untill  the  Queen  is  pleased  more  fully  to  declare  her 
mind,  as  to  the  Estates  of  the  deceased  Arent  Son- 
mans — 

The  said  Joseph  doth  with  all  humility  hope,  that 
the  Ld  Comm's  will  please  to  represent  to  the  Queen, 
the  unfitness  of  the  sd  Peter  to  serve  in  the  Councill. 
yl  because  he  doth  not  reside  in  the  province,  as  doth 
appear  page  6th  of  the  reply  from  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives. and  also  that  his  wife  and  family  do  still 
reside  hi  Cheeswick  C’oun:  Midd’x. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  313 

2°  He  is  a person  very  unacceptable  to  the  people, 
as  appears  both  from  the  remonstrance  & reply  of  the 
house  of  Representatives,  they  having  voted  his  In  joy 
ing  a publick  post  in  keeping  the  Records  to  be  a 
grievance,  and  that  he  had  no  right  to  act  as  Receaver 
Genii  of  the  Quit  Rents,  as  appears  by  sd  Reply  page 
6^. 

Joseph  Ormston 


A List  of  the  names  of  those  that  did  sign 
Peter  Sonmans  his  Commission  [rec’ed 
from  Mr.  Ormston,  and  Mr.  Dockwra’s  ob- 
servations thereupon  Rec’d  9th  June  1708.] 


Their  Interest 

William  Pen 

1:  — 

Clement  Plumstead  . 

i 

Thomas  Barker 

4 

Thomas  Cooper — since  sold  out 

4 

John  Haddon,  his  propriety  was  actual- 

ly sold  before  his  signing  the  Com11  1 : — 

William  Dockwra 

. 1:  — 

D°  in  right  of  Peter  Sonmans  . 

1:  — 

5:  4 

Of  which  14  is  actually  sold 

. 1:  4 

4:  — 


A List  of  the  Proprietors  names  Residing  in 
and  about  London  that  did  not  sign  Peter 


314 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


f 1 708 


Sonmans  his  Commission  [rec’d  from  Mr. 
Ormston  and  Mr.  Dockwra’s  observations, 
thereupon] 

Their  Interest 
oi-  Shares 


Sr.  Thomas  Lane 
Paul  Doekminique 
Robert  Mitchill 
Edward  Richier 
John  Bridges 
Edward  Min  shall 
Obadiah  Burnett 
Michael  Watts 
Joseph  Brooksbark 
Thomas  Skinner 


for  2 proprietys  4£  2: 


i 


James  Braine  t ^ . 

Benjamin  Braine  \ 

Walter  Benthall,  & Hon:  Adderley  . 4 

Thomas  Hart  . . . . 1 : — 


Charles  Durster.  in  right  of  the  Earle  of 

perth i 

Joseph  Wright  & Joseph  Ormston,  for 

the  2 daughters  of  Arent  Sonmans.  3:  J 
Joseph  Ormston  for  David  Lyell.  by 

purchase  ....  i 

D°  as  Proxy  for  Edward  Anthill  & Miles 

foster 1:  — 

D.°  as  Proxy  for  George  Willcockes  . 1 : — 

D°  as  Administrator  to  Frances  Han- 


cock. the  widow  of  Arent  Sonmans 


Totall — Eleven  proprietys  & three  qtr'  1 1 : 


5. 

4- 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


315 


1708] 


Mr  Dockwras  Observation  upon  a List  of  the 
Names  of  those  that  did  Sign  Peter  Son- 
mans’s  Commission. 

He  took  notice  that  he  had  £ a pro 
priet y more  then  Mr  Ormston  had 
allowed  him  ....  £ 

That  the  Earl  of  Cromarty  did  Sign  / 

Mr  Sonmans  Commission,  and  £ 

that  he  had  then  £ of  a Propriety  ^ 

That  Mr.  Sonmans  himself  signed  the  ) , , 

said  Comm0;11,  & has  4 £ proprietys  ) ' * 


5 Pro — 

Which  5 Proprieties  being  added  to  the 
5 — £ in  Mr  Ormstons  List  make 
10 — \ Propriety s 


Mf  Dockwras  Observations  upon  a List  of  the 
Prop?  Names  residing  in  and  about  Lon- 
don that  did  not  sign  Peter  Sonmans  his 
Commission. 

As  to  the  10  first  Persons:  Ml  Dockwif  | 

said,  they  had  but  2 Proprieties,  , , 

so  that  there  is  to  be  struck  off  ( - 

that  Article  £ a propriety  . i 
Thomas  Hart,  he  said  did  actually  | 

Sign  Mf  Sonmans  Commission,  i i.  a 
and  therefore  His  Propriety  ' 
ought  also  to  be  struck  off. 

(N.B.  There  was  no  proof  to  this  Allegac’on) 

Charles  Dunster  he  said  was  not  in] 

Town  when  the  Comm0!1  was  sign-  , ( ) ± 

ed  and  therefore  that  £ propriety  | - 

ought  to  be  struck  off  . . j 


316 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 


(N.  B.  Mr  Ormston  offered  to  prove  to  ye  Contrary.) 
He  said  that  David  lyel  had  only  the  ") 

Quit  Rents,  and  not  the  Soil  and  ( n.  4 
therefore  ye  £ Share  placed  upon 
his  Accf  ought  also  to  be  struck  off 
Edward  Antill,  he  said,  was  no  Prop" 
and  for  Miles  Foster  had  but  i a 
Propf,  and  therefore  one  £ ought 
to  be  struck  off 


0:  * 


3:  0 

So  that  by  this  AcC;1  of  Mr  Dockw’f  there  is  three 
Shares  to  be  cutt  off  from  the  11  & £,  So  that  there 
remain  but  8 & f , from  whence  it  appears  that  there 
was  more  Prop?  that  Signed  for  M.r  Son  mans  than 
there  were  that  did  not. 


Instructions  to  Lord  Lovelace  as  Governor  of  New 

Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  12,  p.  355. j 

Instructions  for  Our  Right  Trusty  and  Well- 
beloved,  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Baron  of 
Hurley,  Our  Captain  General  and  Governor 
in  Chief,  in  and  over  Our  Province  of  Nova 
Caesaraea  or  New  Jersey  in  America, 
Given  at  Our  Court  at  Kensington,  the 
27^  day  of  June  1708,  In  the  Seventh 
Year  of  Our  Reign. 

1.  With  these  our  Instructions,  you  will  receive 
Our  Commission  under  Our  Great  Seal  of  Great 
Britain,  Constituting  you  Our  Captain  General  and 
Governor  in  Chief  of  Our  Province  in  New  Jersey.' 


1 See  page  298.— Ed. 


L 708] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


317 


2.  You  are  with  all  convenient  Speed  to  Repair  to 
Our  said  Province/  and  being  there  arrived,  You  are 
to  take  upon  you  the  Execution  of  the  Place  and 
Trust  We  have  reposed  in  you,  and  forth -with  to  Call 
together  the  following  Persons  whom  We  do  by  these 
Presents  Appoint  and  Constitute  Members  of  Our 
Council,  in  and  for  that  Province,  viz*  Lewis  Morris, 
Andrew  Bowne,  Francis  Davenport,  William  Pinhorn, 
George  Deacon,  William  Sandford,  Richard  Townley, 
Daniel  Cox,  Roger  Mompesson,  Peter  Sonmans,  Hugh 
Hoddy,  William  Hall  and  Robert  Quary,  Esquires. 

[With  some  exceptions  the  Instructions  were  like 
those  issued  to  Lord  Cornbury  which  may  be  found 
in  Vol.  II,  pp  506-536,  and  it  is  therefore  thought  un- 
necessary to  insert  them  in  full.  In  addition  to  some 
unimportant  verbal  alterations,  the  exceptions  re- 
ferred to  are  as  follows: 

Sections  Nos.  15,  16,  22  & 65  of  Lord  Cornbury’s  in- 
structions are  omitted,  and  the  following  appear  as 
additional  sections,  either  modifying  the  purport  of 
those  omitted,  or  containing  new  matter.] 

11.  And  in  the  Choice  and  Nomination  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  Our  Said  Council,  as  also  of  the  Chief  Officers, 
Judges,  Assistants,  Justices  and  Sherriffs;  You  are 
always  to  take  care,  that  they  be  Men  of  Good  Life 
and  well  Affected  to  Our  Government,  of  good  Es- 
tates and  Abilities,  and  not  necessitous  people  or  much 
in  Debt.  •-***„***•* 

14.  And  whereas  We  are  sensible  that  Effectual 
care  ought  to  be  taken  to  Oblige  the  Members  of  Our 
Council  to  a due  attendance  therein,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent the  many  Inconveniences  that  may  happen  from 
the  want  of  a Quoram  of  the  Council  to  transact  busi- 
ness as  Occasion  may  require;  It  is  Our  Will  and 


Lord  Lovelace  arrived  at  New  York.  Dec.  18th.  1708.— Ed. 


318 


ADMINISTRATION'  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


Pleasure,  that  if  any  of  the  Members  of  Our  said 
Council  shall  hereafter  wilfully  absent  themselves, 
when  duly  Summoned,  without  a just  and  Lawfull 
cause,  and  shall  persist  therein  after  Admonition,  You 
suspend  the  said  Counsellors  So  absenting  themselves 
till  Our  further  Pleasure  be  known,  giving  Us  timely 
notice  thereof.  And  we  hereby  will  and  require  you 
that  this  Our  Royal  Pleasure  be  Signifyed  to  the  sev- 
eral Members  of  Our  Council  aforesaid,  And  that  it  be 
entred  in  the  Council  Books  of  Our  said  Province  as  a 
Standing  Rule.  * * * * * 

16.  Whereas  in  a Clause  in  Our  Instructions  to  Our 
Right  Trusty  and  Welbeloved  Edward  Lord  Cornbury 
the  Representatives  for  the  General  Assembly  of  New 
Jersey  were  appointed  to  be  chosen  as  follows.  Viz*~ 
two  by  the  Inhabitants  Householders  of  the  City  or 
Town  of  Perth- Amboy  in  East  New  Jersey,  two  by 
the  Inhabitants  Householders  of  the  City  and  Town  of 
Bridlington  in  West  New  Jersey,  Ten  by  the  free- 
holders of  East  New  Jersey,  and  ten  by  the  Freehold- 
ers of  West  New  Jersey;  And  it  having  been  Repre- 
sented unto  Us;  that  several  Inconveniences  have 
arisen  from  the  manner  of  Choosing  Representatives 
in  Our  said  Province;  It  is  Our  Will  and  Pleasure, 
and  you  are  accordingly  to  make  the  same  known  in 
the  most  publick  Manner,  that  the  Method  of  Choosing 
Representatives  be  for  the  future,  as  follows,  Viz.  two 
by  the  Inhabitants  Householders  of  the  City  or  town 
of  Perth- Amboy  in  East  New  Jersey,  and  two  by  the 
Freeholders  of  Each  of  the  five  Counties  of  the  said 
Division  of  East  New  Jersey;  Two  by  the  Inhabitants 
Householders  of  the  City  or  Town  of  Bridlington  in 
West  New  Jersey,  two  by  the  Inhabitants  Household- 
ers of  the  town  of  Salem  in  the  said  Division,  and  two 
by  the  Freeholders  of  each  of  the  four  Counties  in  the 
said  Division  of  West  New  Jersey;  which  persons,  so 
to  be  Chosen,  make  up  together  the  Number  of  twenty 
four  Representatives, 


1708J 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


319 


And  it  is  Our  further  Will  and  Pleasure,  that  no 
Person  shall  be  capable  of  being  Elected  a Representa- 
tive by  the  Freeholders  of  either  Division  as  aforesaid, 
or  afterwards  of  Sitting  in  General  Assemblies,  who 
shall  not  have  one  Thousand  Acres  of  Land  of  an  Es- 
tate of  Freehold  in  his  own  Right,  within  the  Division 
for  which  he  shall  be  Chosen,  or  a Personal  Estate  in 
mony,  Goods  or  Chattels  to  the  Value  of  five  Hundred 
pounds  Sterling;  And  all  Inhabitants  of  Our  said 
Province,  being  so  qualified  as  aforesaid  are  hereby 
declared  Capable  of  being  Elected  accordingly. 

And  it  is  likewise  Our  Pleasure,  that  no  Freehold- 
er shall  be  capable  of  Voting  in  the  Election  of  such 
Representatives  who  shall  not  have  One  Hundred 
Acres  of  Land,  of  an  Estate  of  Freehold  in  his  own 
Right,  within  the  County  for  which  he  shall  so  vote, 
or  a Personal  Estate  in  mony,  Goods,  or  Chattels  to 
the  Value  of  fifty  pounds  Sterling  and  all  Freeholders 
in  Our  said  Province  being  so  qualifyed  as  aforesaid 
are  hereby  declared  capable  of  Voting  in  the  Election 
of  Representatives;  which  Number  of  Representatives 
shall  not  be  Enlarged  or  diminished,  or  the  manner  of 
Electing  them  (hereby  directed)  altered  there  other- 
wise than  by  an  Act  or  Acts  of  the  General  Assembly, 
to  be  Confirmed  by  the  Approbation  of  Us  Our  Heirs 
and  Successors.  * * * * * * * 

18.  And  Our  further  Will  and  Pleasure  is,  that 
in  every  Act  which  shall  be  transmitted;  there  be  the 
several  Dates  or  respective  times  when  the  same  pass- 
ed the  Assembly,  the  Council,  and  received  your  As- 
sent. And  you  are  to  be  as  particular  as  may  be  in 
Your  Observations  (to  be  sent  to  Our  Commissioners 
of  Trade  and  Plantations)  upon  every  Act,  that  is  to 
say,  whether  the  same  is  Introductive  of  a new  Law, 
Declaratory  of  a former  Law,  or  does  repeal  a law 
then  before  in  being.  And  you  are  likewise  to  send  to 
Our  said  Commission™  the  reasons  for  passing  of  such 


320 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


Law,  unless  the  same  do  fully  appear  in  the  Preamble 
of  the  said  Act.  * * * * * * 

21.  You  are  also  to  take  care  that  no  private  Act  be 
passed,  in  which  there  is  not  a saving  to  the  right  of 
Us,  Our  Heirs  & Successors,  all  bodies  politick  or  Cor 
porate,  and  of  all  other  Persons,  Except  such  as  are 
mentioned  in  the  said  Act. 

22.  And  whereas  great  Mischeifs  may  arise  by  pass- 

ing Bills  of  an  unusual  and  Extraordinary  Nature  and 
Importance  in  the  Plantations,  which  Bills  remain  in 
force  there,  from  the  time  of  Enacting,  until  Our 
pleasure  be  signify ed  to  the  contrary;  We  do  hereby 
Will  and  require  you  not  to  pass  or  give  Your  consent 
to  any  Bill  or  Bills  in  the  Assembly  of  Our  said  Prov- 
ince, of  unusual  and  Extraordinary  Nature  and  Im- 
portance wherein  Our  Prerogative,  or  property  of  Our 
Subjects  may  be  prejudiced,  without  having  either 
first  Transmitted  unto  Us  the  Draught  of  Such  a Bill 
or  Bills;  And  Our  having  Signifyed  Our  Royal  Pleas- 
ure thereupon,  or  that  you  take  care  in  the  passing  of 
any  Act,  of  an  Unusual  and  Extraordinary  Nature, 
that  there  be  a Clause  inserted  therein,  Suspending 
and  deferring  the  Execution  thereof  until  Our  Pleasure 
be  known  concerning  the  said  Act;  to  the  end  our  Pre- 
rogative may  not  Suffer,  and  that  Our  Subjects  may 
not  have  reason  to  Complain  of  hardships  put  upon 
them  on  the  like  Occasions.  * * * 

24.  Whereas  We  have  been  inform’d  that  Intelli- 
gence has  been  had  in  France  of  the  state  of  Our  Plan- 
tations by  Letters  from  Private  Persons  to  their  Cor- 
respondents in  Great  Britain,  taken  on  Boards  Ships 
Coming  from  the  Plantations,  and  carryed  into  France, 
which  may  be  of  Dangerous  Consequence,  if  not  pre- 
vented, for  the  future  Our  Will  & Pleasure  is, 
that  you  Signify  to  all  Merchants,  Planters  and  others 
that  they  be  very  Cautious  in  giving  any  account  by 
Letters,  of  the  Publick  State  and  Condition  of  Our  said 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  321 

Province  of  New  Jersey;  And  you  are  further  to  give 
directions  to  all  Masters  of  Ships  or  other  persons  to 
whom  you  may  intrust  your  Letters,  that  they  put 
such  Letters  in  a bag  with  a Sufficient  weight  to  sink 
the  same  Immediately,  in  Case  of  Imminent  Danger 
from  the  Enemy.  And  you  are  also  to  let  the  Mer- 
chants and  Planters  know,  how  greatly  it  is  for  their 
Interest,  that  their  Letters  should  not  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Enemy;  And  therefore  that  they  should 
give  the  like  Orders  to  the  Masters  of  Ships  in  rela- 
tion to  their  Letters.  And  You  are  further  to  advise 
all  Masters  of  Ships,  that  they  do  sink  all  Letters  in 
Case  of  Danger,  in  the  manner  before  mentioned. 

25.  And  whereas  in  the  late  War,  the  Merchants 
and  planters  in  the  West  Indies  did  correspond  and 
Trade  with  the  French,  and  cany  Intelligence  to  them 
to  the  great  prejudice  and  hazard  of  the  English  Plan- 
tations, You  are  therefore  by  all  possible  Methods  to 
endeavour  to  hinder  all  such  Trade  and  Correspondence 
with  the  French,  whose  strength  in  the  West  Indies 
gives  very  just  apprehensions  of  the  Mischiefs  that 
may  Ensue,  if  the  Utmost  Care  be  not  taken  to  pre- 
vent them. 

2(>.  Whereas  an  Act  was  past  this  last  Session  of 
Parliament,  in  the  ()th  and  T1?'  Years  of  Our  Reign  1708 
Entituled,  An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of  the 
Trade  to  America , A Copy  whereof  will  be  herew"1 
delivered  to  you:  You  are  to  take  care  that  the  same 
be  duly  comply ed  with.  * * * * * 

28.  And  whereas  Several  inconveniencies  have 
arisen  to  Our  Governments  in  the  Plantations,  by 
(lifts  and  Presents  made  to  Our  Governours  by  the 
General  Assemblies;  You  are  therefore  to  propose  unto 
the  said  General  Assembly  and  use  your  utmost  endeav- 
ours with  them ; that  an  Act  be  passed  for  raising  and 
setling  a publick  revenue  for  defraying  the  necessary 
Charge  of  the  Government  of  Our  said  Province,  And 
21 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


that  therein  Provision  be  particularly  made  for  a Com- 
petent Salary  to  your  Self,  as  Captain  Gener!  and 
Governor  in  Chief  of  Our  said  Province,  and  to  other 
Our  Succeeding  Captains  General,  for  Supporting  the 
Dignity  of  the  said  Office;  as  likewise  due  Provision 
for  the  Contingent  Charges  of  Our  Council  and  As- 
sembly, and  for  the  Salaries  of  the  respective  Clerks 
and  other  Officers  thereunto  belonging,  as  likewise  of 
all  other  Officers,  necessary  for  the  Administration  of 
that  Government.  And  when  such  Revenue  shall  so 
have  been  Settled,  and  provision  made  as  aforesaid, 
then  Our  Express  Will  and  Pleasure  is,  that  neither 
you  Our  Governor  nor  any  Governor,  Leivten’  Gov- 
ernor, Commander  in  Chief  or  President  of  Our  Coun- 
cil of  Our  said  Province  of  New  Jersey  for  the  time 
being,  do  give  your  or  their  consent  to  the  passing  any 
Law  or  Act  for  any  Gift  or  Present  to  be  made  to  You 
or  them  by  the  Assembly;  and  that  neither  You  nor 
they  do  receive  any  Gift  or  Present  from  the  xAissembly 
or  others,  on  any  Account,  or  in  any  manner  whatso- 
ever, upon  pain  of  Our  Highest  displeasure  and  of  be- 
ing recalled  from  that  Our  Governm* 

29.  And  We  do  further  direct  and  require  this  decla- 
ration of  Our  Royall  will  and  Pleasure  be  Communi- 
cated to  the  Assembly  at  then*  first  meeting,  after  your 
Arrival  in  Our  said  Province,  and  Enter’d  into  the 
Register  of  Our  Council  and  Assembly,  that  all  per- 
sons whom  it  may  concern  may  Govern  themselves 
accordingly.  * * * * * * * 

53.  But  in  regard  we  have  been  Informed  that  there 
is  a great  want  of  a particular  Court  for  determining 
of  small  Causes,  You  are  to  recommend  it  to  fhe  As- 
sembly of  Our  said  Province,  that  a law  be  passed  for 
the  Constituting  such  Court  or  Courts  for  the  ease  of 
Our  Subjects  there.  And  you  are  from  time  to  time 
to  transmit  to  Our  said  Commissioners  for  Trade  and 
Plantations  an  Exact  Account  of  what  Causes  shall  be 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  323 

determined,  what  shall  be  then  depending.  As  likewise 
an  Abstract  of  all  Proceedings  in  the  Several  Courts  of 
Justice  within  your  said  Governmen4 

91.  Whereas  great  Inconveniences  do  happen  by 
Merchant  Ships  and  other  Vessels  in  the  Plantations, 
wearing  the  Colours  born  by  Our  Ships  of  War,  under 
Pretence  of  Commissions  Granted  to  them  by  the 
Governors  of  the  said  Plantations,  and  that  by  Trading- 
under  these  Colours,  not  only 
amongst  Our  own  Subjects,  but 
also  those  of  other  Princes  and 
States,  and  Committing  divers 
Irregularities,  they  do  very  much 
dishonour  Our  Service;  For  pre- 
vention whereof  You  are  to 
Oblige  the  Commanders  of  all 
such  Ships,  to  which  you  shall 
Grant  Commissions,  to  wear  no 
other  Jack  than  According  to  the 
Sample  here  described,  that  is  to 
say,  such  as  is  worn  by  Our  Ships  of  War,  with  the 
distinction  of  a White  Escutcheon  in  the  Middle 
thereof;  and  that  the  said  mark  of  distinction  may 
extend  itself  to  the  One  half  of  the  Depth  of  the  Jack, 
and  One  Third  of  the  fly  thereof. 


FLAG. 


Communication  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  Lord 
Lovelace , Governor  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  New  York  Col.  Doets..  Vol.  V.,  p.  46.] 

To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Lord  Lovelace. 

My  Lord , 

Notwithstanding  Her  Majestys  Instructions  to  Your 
Lordship  there  are  Severall  other  particulars  relating 


ADMINISTRATION'  OF  LORD  LOVKLACK. 


32+ 


[i;og 


to  Your  Government  of  New  Jersey,  which  we  think 
ourselves  Obliged  to  take  notice  of  to  Your  Lords1’ 

The  Lord  Cornbury  having  had  some  Doubts  in  re- 
lation to  Fines,  Forfeitures  & Escheats,  and  to  the 
Appointing  of  a Eanger  of  the  Woods;  We  consulted 
Her  Majesty’s  then  Attorney  General  thereupon;  And 
inclose  a copy  of  his  Report  for  Your  Lordps  better  in- 
formation and  Guidance  in  those  matters. 

Having  received  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  several 
Acts  past  in  New  Jersey  in  November  1704,  We  con- 
sidered the  same  and  transmitted  to  his  Lordp  our  ob- 
servations thereupon,  that  he  might  lay  those  Observa- 
tions before  the  Assembly  for  their  consideration  & 
amendment  of  the  said  Acts,  before  we  presented 
them  to  her  Majesty  for  her  Confirmation.  But  not 
having  received  any  Answer  from  the  Lord  Cornbury, 
We  think  it  necessary  to  repeat  our  fore-mentioned 
Observations  to  Your  Lord1’  that  upon  your  arrival  in 
New  Jersey  you  may  consult  the  Assembly  and  give 
us  further  light  in  that  matter. 

The  Act  for  Settling  the  Militia,  in  the  last  proviso 
but  one,  Enacts  that  the  sums  of  money  thereby  to 
be  levied,  are  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  Receiver 
General,  or  Secretary,  or  such  other  person  as  the 
Govr  under  his  hand  shall  appoint;  And  the  money  to 
be  applied  also  to  such  public  Uses  as  the  Governor 
shall  direct;  Whereas  we  think  that  Publick  Moneys 
ought  only  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  Receiver 
General,  and  the  Uses  to  which  it  ought  to  be  applied 
for  ye  Support  of  ye  Government  shou’d  be  expressed 
in  the  Act,  and  not  left  at  large  as  it  is  in  this:  Which 
we  desire  Your  Lord1’  therefore  to  be  Mindful  of  for  the 
future. 

Tho’  the  Design  of  the  Act  for  Uniting  and  quieting 
the  minds  of  all  Her  Majesty’s  Subjects  in  New  Jersey 
be  very  good,  Yet  there  are  some  clauses  in  the  Act, 
which  render  it  unfit  for  her  Majesty’s  Royal  Confirm- 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  325 

ation,  viz1  That  it  pardons  (amongst  other  Crimes)  all 
High  Treasons,  Murders  and  Piracy,  committed  be- 
fore the  IT!1  of  August  1702;  whereas  her  Majesty  has 
Reserved  to  herself,  by  Her  Instructions  to  you,  the 
Pardoning  of  those  Crimes;  which  Crimes  are  always 
Excepted  in  Acts  of  the  like  nature  here;  and  there- 
fore We  Desire  Your  Lord1'  to  endeavour  to  get  this 
amended  in  Another  Act  to  be  passed  for  the  like  pur- 
pose. 

We  have  no  other  Objection  to  the  Act  for  Altering 
the  Present  Constitution  and  Regulating  the  Election 
of  Representatives,  &a.  But  that  it  does  not  Regulate 
the  Quantity  of  acres  necessary  to  qualify  persons  to 
Elect  or  be  Elected  Representatives  in  the  General  As- 
sembly; Your  Lord1’  will  see  by  her  Majesty’s  Instruc- 
tions what  is  intended  upon  that  Matter,  viz1  That 
1000  Acres  of  Land  or  £500  Personal  Estate  should 
qualify  persons  to  be  Elected;  and  that  100  acres  of 
Land  and  £50  personal  Estate,  shou’d  qualify  to  be 
Electors:  But  if  Your  Lord1’  find  this  Regulation  too 
high,  you  may  endeavour  to  get  a new  Act  passed,  for 
Proportioning  that  Matter  otherwise.  In  the  mean- 
time this  Act  will  remain  in  force,  without  being  con- 
firmed by  her  Majesty;  And  Your  Lordp  will  make  a 
suitable  use  of  your  Instructions  in  that  behalf. 

We  must  Desire  Your  Lord1'  upon  transmitting  [the 
laws]  that  you  he  particular  in  giving  us  Your  opinion 
upon  each  respective  Act,  together  with  the 
Reasons  for  passing  the  same,  in  such  manner  as  you 
are  required  by  Your  Instructions. 

A complaint  having  been  made  by  the  Proprietors 
of  the  Western  Division,  that  the  Lord  Cornbury  had 
caused  their  late  Secretary  to  deliver  all  public  Books, 
Papers  and  Records  to  Mr.  Bass  Secretary  of  the  Prov- 
ince, and  that  their  Records  of  Deeds  had  been  carried 
out  of  the  Province,  which  may  be  of  great  prejudice 
to  the  said  Proprietors,  We  are  of  opinion  (and  ac- 


3*20  administration  of  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

cordingly  signified  the  same  to  the  Lord  Cornbury ) 
that  all  Books  and  Papei*s.  Deeds  and  Evidences  re- 
lating to  the  Proprietorship  of  the  soil,  be  not  taken 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  Proprietors  Agents:  and  there- 
fore if  this  be  not  remedied.  Your  Lord1  will  do  well  to 
give  Directions  therein. 

The  Lord  Cornbury  having  informed  us.  that  an 
opinion  had  lately  been  stalled  in  his  Governments 
viz1  If  he  send  any  orders  to  New  Jersey,  relating  to 
the  affairs  of  that  Province,  whilst  he  is  resident  at 
New  York,  they  are  of  no  force  and  so  the  same  of 
his  sending  orders  from  New  Jei*sey  to  New  York: 
We  think  it  necessary  to  acquaint  Your  Lord1  that  it 
is  a very  trifling  and  Extravagant  Opinion  the  Con- 
trary being  practised  eveiy  day  here  by  the  Lords 
Lieutenants  of  Counties;  and  particularly  by  the 
Lords  Lieutenants  of  Deland,  who  frequently  send 
Orders  into  Ireland,  whilst  they  are  Resident  in  this 
Kingdom.  * * * * 

The  Lord  Cornbury  having  transmitted  to  us,  a Re- 
monstrance from  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  him. 
with  his  Answer,  thereunto  (a  Copy  whereof  is  here 
inclosed  > We  have  considered,  the  same,  and  have  made 
the  following  Observations  thereupon,  which  we  think 
necessary  to  communicate  to  Your  Lordship. 

The  First  Article.  It  appeal’s  evidently  by  the 
Lord  Cornbury *s  Commission  that  he  has  no  power  to 
pardon  Treason  and  Wilful  Murder:  But  in  such  cases 
he  is  allowed  to  grant  Reprieves  to  the  offenders  untill 
and  to  the  Intent  Her  Majisty's  Royall  Pleasure  may 
be  known  therein.  In  order  thereunto  he  is  with  all 
convenient  Speed,  to  Transmit  to  Her  Majesty  a full 
State  of  the  matter  of  fact  relating  to  such  Offenders, 
which  we  do  not  find  that  the  Lord  Cornbury  has 
done.  Upon  this  Occasion  We  must  take  notice 
to  Your  Lordship  that  the  want  of  Prisons  in  New 
Jersey  is  a matter  proper  to  be  laid  before  the  General 


1708] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


m 

Assembly:  Your  Lord11  will  therefore  Represent 

them  the  necessity  of  having  such  prisons  Built,  that 
they  may  grant  a sufficient  Fund,  which  may  be  ap- 
propriated to  that  Service. 

The  Second  Article.  As  to  the  complaint  of  paying 
the  Fees  of  Court,  tho’  the  bill  of  Indictment  be  not 
found  by  the  Grand  Jury.  We  are  of  opinion  that  the 
Person  accused  not  being  properly  in  Court,  till  ar- 
raigned before  the  Petty  Jury,  no  fees  till  then  can 
be  demanded. 

The  Third  Article.  ’Tis  true  that  the  Probate  of 
Wills  and  Granting  of  Letters  of  Administration,  is  by 
Her  Majesty,  entrusted  with  the  Governor;  Yet  we 
do  not  see  that  the  settling  such  an  Office  in  each  Di- 
vision in  New  Jersey,  as  proposed  by  the  Remonstrance 
for  the  Ease  of  Her  Majesty’s  Subjects  there  will  be  a 
lessning  of  the  Rights  of  the  Prerogative,  or  of  the 
Governor. 

The  Fifth  Article.  We  are  of  Opinion,  Notwith- 
standing the  Lord  Corabury’s  Answer  to  the  Remon- 
strance, that  such  a Patent  for  the  Sole  carting  of 
Goods,  as  is  therein  mentioned,  is  a Monopoly,  with- 
in the  21?  Jac:  l8.6  Cap.  3.d. 

The  Sixth  Article.  We  are  also  of  Opinion  that  no  ' 
fee  is  lawful,  unless  it  be  Warranted  by  Prescription, 
or  Erected  by  the  Legislature,  as  was  adjudged  in  Par- 
liament in  the  13th  Hen  4th  in  the  Case  of  the  Office 
then  Erected,  for  measurage  of  Cloths  and  Canvass. 
Vid.  Cook’s  2:  Inst:  fol.  533,  534.  We  are,  my  Lord, 
Your  Lordps  most  humble  Servants 

Herbert 
Ph.  Meadows 
Jn.  Pulteney 
Ch.  Turner 

Whitehal 
June  the  28th  1708. 


328 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


Letter  from  the  Earl  of  Sunderland  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade , relating  to  the  desire  of  the  New  Jersey 
Company  that  Mr.  Morris  may  he  of  the  Council  of 
that  Province. 


[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  42.] 

Whithall  29th  June  1708 


My  Lords  and  Gentlemen 
My  Lord  Lovelace  having  intimated  to  me  that  the 
New  Jersey  Company  desire  that  Mr  Lewis  Morris  may 
be  of  the  Council  in  that  Plantation  instead  of  either 
Mr  Cox  or  Mr.  Sonmans,  I desire  you  will  let  me  have 
your  Opinion  thereon  that  I may  lay  the  Same  before 
Her  Maty  I am 

My  Lords  and  Gentlemen 
Your  most  humble 
Servant 

Sunderland 

Council  of  Trade 


Letter  from  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Earl  of  Sunder- 
land, in  answer  to  the  foregoing. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  12,  p.  439.] 

To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Sunder- 
land. 

My  Lord , 

In  answer  to  Your  Lordships  Letter  of  the  29t.1'  of 
June  relating  to  the  desire  of  the  New  Jersey  Com- 
pany, that  M*  Lewis  Morris  may  be  of  the  Council 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  329 

there,  instead  either  of  M1 * * *  Cox  or  Mr  Sonmans.  We 
must  acquaint  Your  Lordship,  that  We  have  no  Ob- 
jection to  the  said  Mr  Morris  being  restored  to  his 
Place  and  Precedency  in  the  said  Council  from  which 
he  has  been  suspended  by  the  Lord  Cornbury:  But  We 
are  apprehensive,  some  Inconvenience  may  Insue  upon 
the  displacing  of  either  M1'  Cox  or  Mr  Sonmans,  some 
time  since  appointed  Members  of  the  said  Council  by 
Her  Majesty,  and  therefore  are  of  Opinion  that  they 
be  continued,  and  that  Mr  John  Harrison  who  is  the 
Last  of  those  We  had  proposed  by  Our  Representa- 
tion  to  Her  Majesty,  of  the  31st  of  May  last  for  that 
Council,  be  left  out  to  make  Room  for  the  said  Morris, 
We  are,  My  Lord 

Your  Lordship’s  Most  Humble  Servants, 
Whitehal  Herbert. 

July  the  l8.1  1708.  Ph:  Meadows. 

J:  Pulteney. 

Cha:  Turner. 


Report  from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Customs  to  the 
Lord  Treasurer , on  the  Memorial  of  John  Keble. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  43.) 

Report  on  the  Petition  of  Mr.  Keble.1 

May  it  please  your  Lordp. 

In  obedience  to  your  Lordps  Commands  Signified  to 
us  by  M‘  Lowndes  on  the  Annexed  Petition  of  John 
Keble  of  West  Jersey  adjoyning  to  Pensil vania  Merclfi 


1 Keble  had  petitioned  for  a patent  for  the  manufacture  of  Potash  in  New  Jersey, 

on  the  recommendation  of  William  Penn  and  others,  and  the  certificates  of  soap 

makers  in  London  as  to  the  pood  quality  of  the  article  manufactured,  see  pages 

304-305.— Ed. 


330  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

Setting  forth  That  about  8 Years  past  he  went  over  to 
Pensilvania  and  there  purchased  a certain  tract  of 
Land,  whereon  he  planted  Tobacco,  Indian-Corn,  and 
made  Pottash,  but  it  so  happened  that  both  himself  & 
Servants  fell  sick  of  the  Seasonings,  whereby  he  Lost 
severall  of  his  Servants,  and  all  his  hoped  for  Crop, 
which  Loss  (by  reason  of  his  great  expence)  he  could 
not  againe  retreive  Yet  by  the  Kind  assistance  of  a 
few  Friends  on  the  place  he  made  some  further  pro- 
gress in  the  Pott-ash  work,  and  brought  it  to  Such  per- 
fection as  to  be  approved  by  the  Soap-boylers  in  Lon- 
don who  used  a small  quantity  thereof,  as  may  be  fair- 
ly attested,  Afterwards  a greater  Cargo  coming  over,  it 
was  unfortunately  taken  by  the  French  to  the  veiy 
great  prejudice  of  the  Petition?  and  has  disabled  him 
in  the  progress  of  So  hopeful  an  undertaking.  Likely 
to  prove  very  beneficiall  to  the  Publick 

Humbly  praying  yo?  Lord1?5  favourable  recomenda- 
tion  to  the  Lords  Commr.s  for  Plantations,  that  he  may 
have  such  Encourag1111  as  they  shall  judge  meet. 

Wee  do  humbly  Report  to  yo-  Lord?  That  Wee  have 
upon  this  Occasion  caused  an  Accompt  to  be  drawn 
out  (by  the  Inspector  Generali  of  the  Exports  and  Im- 
ports, of  Pott-ashes  and  Pearle  ashes  Imported  into 
this  Kingdom  from  the  East  Country  and  other  For- 
eigne  parts  in  Three  Years  time  between  Christmas 
1703  and  Christmas  1706,  with  an  Estimate  of  then- 
values,  And  for  your  Lord?5  more  particular  Informa- 
tion Wee  have  hereunto  Annexed  the  said  Accompt 
Wee  do  further  humbly  acquaint  your  Lord?  That  the 
Petition?  hath  produced  before  us.  some  Certificates 
and  Papers  tending  to  prove.  That  part  of  his  allega- 
tions, That  the  Pott-ashes  which  he  made  in  her  Mats 
Plantations  were  approved  by  the  Soap-Boylers  in  Lon- 
don, And  that  he  is  Capable  of  making  a further  Pro- 
gress in  this  his  undertaking  And  Wee  are  Humbly  of 
Opinion,  That  if  the  manufacture  of  Potashes  can  be 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


331 


1708] 


Brought  to  perfection  in  the  Plantations,  it  will  be  a 
usefull  Trade,  And  of  Publick  benefitt  to  this  King- 
dome. 

Which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  yo*'  Lord1?8  Con- 
sideration, 


Complaint  of  John  Barclay  at  the  non-recognition 
of  his  Commission  as  Receiver  General. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.  Vol.  IV.,  p.  117.] 


In  the  year  1704  John  Barclay  Esq*  was  by  the  Pro- 
prietors of  the  Eastern  Devision  of  New  Jersey  Com- 
missionated  Reciever  Genii  of  their  Quitt  Rents  &c: 
And  on  the  17th  of  June  In  sd  yeare  My  Lord  Cornbury 
then  Govern1,  of  sd  Province  Issued  out  a Proclamation 
requiring  all  Justices  of  the  peace  Sheriffs  Ac  to  be 
aiding  and  Assisting  to  him  In  the  Execution  of  his 
sd  office  on  ye  24th  of  August  1705  Peter  Sonmans  Esqr 
produced  before  my  Lord  Cornbury  & Councill  A 
Comission  from  severall  of  the  Proprietors  Residing  In 
& about  London  Appoynting  him  their  Agent  & Re- 
ciever Genii:  of  their  Quitt  Rents  &c  on  which  Procla- 
mation was  Issued  out  on  behalfe  of  sd  Sonmans  Ac. 
In  which  Comission  of  sd  Sonmans  it  was  Expresely 
provided  that  any  person  producing  an  other  Comis- 
sion under  the  hands  A seals  of  five  persons  who  are 
or  shall  he  Proprietors  of  part  of  the  s'1  Eastern  Devi- 
sion and  who  shall  Reside  In  or  near  London  before 
ye  Gover:  & Councill  of  sd  Province  for  the  time  being 
then  sd  Comission  of  sd  Sonmans  should  thereafter  he 
utterly  voy’d  to  all  Intents  & purposes  whatsoever. 


Custome  house  London 
1*  July  1708 

N.  Duelley 


Sam  Clarke 
T:  Newport 
Jo:  Werdenn 
J.  Stapley. 


The  Case  of  John  Barclay. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


332 


[1708 


On  the  7th  of  November  1707  the  Aforesd  John  Bar- 
clay produced  before  My  Lord  Cornbury  then  Govern : 
of  s'1  Province  & Councill  A Comission  for  Reciever 
Genr:  of  sd  Proprietors  Quitt  Rents  &c:  signed  in  Lon- 
don the  10th  of  May  1706  under  the  hands  and  seals  of 
tenn  of  ye  Proprietors  of  part  of  s'1  Devision  of  s'1  Pro- 
vince Residing  In  or  near  London  which  vacated  Mr 
Sonmans  s“  Comission  but  Mr.  Barclays  sd  Comission 
was  most  unjustly  and  Maliciously  kept  & retained 
from  him  by  My  Lord  Cornbury  & Councill  as  Ap- 
peares  by  ye  Coppie  of  ye  order  of  Councill  hereunto 
annexed,  whereby  he  has  been  Sc  still  is  kept  out  of  sd 
office  to  his  great  Loss  and  Damage  notwithstanding 
Also  that  Mr.  Barclays  first  Comission  was  under  the 
hands  and  seals  of  A greater  Number  of  Proprietors 
than  Mr.  Sonmans  sd  Comission  was. 


A Coppie  of  the  Order  of  Council. 

November  7th  1707. 

At  a Council  held  at  Perth  Amboy  Present — His 
Excellency  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Capt.  Genii: 
Sc  Governour,  His  Honour  the  Leut:  Govern  our. 

William  Pinhome  | 

Roger  Mumplesson  I 
Coll  Danll  Cox  Esqrs. 

Will  Sandford  v 

Col:  Robert  Quarrie  J 

Mr.  Barclay  Acquainting  this  board  that  he  had  re- 
ceived an  Instrument  Sealed  from  the  Proprietors  of 


For  notice  of  John  Barclay  see  Vol.  II.  p.  81. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


333 


1708] 


the  East  erne  De  vision  of  this  Province  to  be  their  Re- 
ceiver Genii:  and  desired  that  he  might  be  Qualified  as 
such  & delivering  the  sd  Paper  Into  the  board  he  with 
drew,  ordered  that  the  s‘l  Instrument  be  transmitted 
home  to  England  and  laid  before  Her  Majestie. 

J.  Bass. 


Letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
about  Emigration  from  New  York  into  New 
Jersey. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col:  Doc’ts,  Vol.  V..  p.  56. J 

To  the  Right  Honb,e  The  Lords  Commiss”  for 
Trade  & Plantations. 


[Extract.] 

My  Lords. 

* Two  sorts  of  people  remove  out  of  this 
GovernnT  into  the  neighboring  Provinces,  the  first  are 
trading  men,  of  these  but  few  are  removed  since  I 
came  hither;  The  other  sort  are  Husbandmen,  Of  this 
sort  many  are  Removed  lately,  especially  from  King’s 
County  on  Long  Island;  And  the  reasons  why  they  re- 
move are  of  two  kinds:  The  first  is  because  King’s 
County  is  but  small  and  full  of  people,  so  as  the  young 
people  grow  up,  they  are  forced  to  seek  land  further 
off,  to  settle  upon;  The  land  in  the  Eastern  Division 
of  New  Jersey  is  good,  and  not  very  far  from  King’s 
County,  there  is  only  a bay  to  crosse:  The  other  reason 
that  induces  them  to  remove  into  New  Jersey  is  be- 
cause there  they  pay  no  taxes,  nor  no  duties;  The  most 
effectual  way  to  prevent  the  Removal  of  the  first  sort 
of  people,  would  be  to  bring  all  the  Colonies  and  Plan- 
tations upon  the  Continent  of  America  under  the  same 
Duties  and  Customs,  for  goods  Imported  and  Exported. 


334  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1?08 

If  this  were  once  settled  the  trading  Men  wou’d  then 
consider  which  is  the  healthiest,  pleasentest,  and  most 
convenient  place  for  Trade;  whereas  now  the  Chief 
Consideration  is,  where  the  least  duties  are  paid;  of 
this  we  have  had  several  instances  lately:  since  the 
French  destroyed  Nevis  several  families  have  removed 
from  that  Island,  with  intent  to  settle  in  this  place,  but 
when  they  found  what  Duties  people  have  paid,  and 
do  pay  here,  and  that  at  Philadelphia  they  pay  none  at 
all,  they  remove  thither.  As  for  Husbandmen,  I can’t 
see  how  they  can  be  hinder’d  from  removing  out  of 
one  province  into  the  other.  * * * * 

My  Lords 

Your  Lordshipps  most 
faith  full  humble  servant 

New  York  Cornbury 

July  the  1st  1708 


letter  from  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , 
about  New  Jersey  affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  52.] 

Letter  from  the  Lord  Cornbury  Governor  of 
New  Jersey.  Rec’d  3d  Novemr  1708 

New  York  July  the  1st  1708. 

My  Lords 

I was  fauoured  with  your  Lordshipp’s  letter  of  the 
7t.h  of  May  1707  relating  to  New  Jersey  on  the  25th  of 
June  last  at  Shrewsbury  in  the  Eastern  Division  of 
New  Jersey  from  whence  I returned  to  this  Place  on 
the  28th,  at  my  arriuall  here  I was  informed  that  a Ship 
would  be  ready  to  sail  in  few  days  directly  forBristoll. 
which  opportunity  I was  glad  to  embrace  to  acknowl- 
edge the  reciet  of  these  letters  which  are  the  first  I 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


335 


1708] 


had  the  honour  to  recieue  from  your  Lordshipps  since 
the  Queen  has  been  pleased  to  renew  her  Commission, 
of  which  I beg  leave  to  wish  your  Lordshipps  much 
Joy. 

Your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to  Inform  me  that  it  is 
her  Majesty’s  pleasure,  and  Expresse  Command,  that 
the  Grouvernors  of  all  forriegn  Plantations,  doe  from 
time  to  time,  giue  unto  you  frequent  and  full  Infor- 
mation of  the  State  and  Condition  of  their  respective 
G-overments  and  Plantations  &c.  In  all  these  things 
I shall  endeavour  to  obserue  her  Maiesty’s  Commands 
punctually,  as  soon  as  time  can  possibly  allow  it,  but 
some  of  the  things  your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to 
require  of  me,  will  take  some  time  to  transcribe,  how- 
ever it  shall  be  done  as  fast  as  possible;  In  the  mean 
time  I will  give  you  satisfaction  in  the  Question’s  you 
ask  me  as  fan*  as  the  short  time  this  Ship  will  allow 
me  will  permit;  I am  concerned  to  find  by  your  Letter 
that  there  are  not  in  your  Office  any  Minutes  of  Coun- 
cill  or  Assembly  since  my  coming  to  the  Gouuernment 
of  New  Jersey,  because  I did  two  years  agoe  send  your 
Lordshipps  the  Minutes  of  Councill  to  that  time,  and  I 
have  constantly  sent  the  Minutes  of  Assembly  by  the 
first  opportunity  after  each  Sessions,  and  I hope  M’ 
Popple  may  find  them  among  his  papers,  as  for  the 
accounts  of  the  Reuenue  they  have  not  been  sent 
because  the  Deputy  Auditor  has  refused  to  Audit 
them,  the  Queen  has  had  no  Reuenue  in  the  Prouince 
of  New  Jersey  only  for  two  years,  since  they  were 
expired,  the  Assembly  by  the  under  hand  practises  of 
Mr  Lewis  Morris,  and  severall  of  the  Quakers,  one 
Doctor  Johnson,  and  some  others,  have  been  preuailed 
upon  not  to  give  the  Queen  any  Reuenue,  and  I am  of 
opinion  that  as  long  as  the  Queen  is  pleased  to  allow 
the  Quakers  to  sit  in  the  Assembly,  they  never  will 
settle  a Reuenue,  nor  a Millitia,  1 will  by  the  first 
opportunity  send  your  Lordshipps  an  exact  Transcript 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORI)  LOVELACE. 


336 


[1708 


of  the  Accounts  of  the  Reuenue  for  those  two  years 
whether  the  Deputy  Auditor  will  Audit  them  or  not. 
I here  send  you  Inclosed  a List  of  the  present  Councill, 
and  likewise  a List  of  such  persons  as  by  their  Cir- 
cumstances are  in  my  Judgment  proper  to  fill  any 
Vacancy  that  may  happen  in  the  Councill.  About 
two  years  and  a half  agoe  I did  transmit  compleat 
Lists  of  the  Inhabitants  of  each  Country  in  the  Prou- 
ince  of  New  Jersey,  the  Sher  riffs  are  now  making  new 
Lists  which  shall  be  transmitted  to  your  Lordshipps  by 
the  first  opportunity.  The  numbers  of  Inhabitants  of 
New  Jersey  are  considerably  increased  by  the  reasons 
I have  offered  you  in  my  letter  relating  to  New  York, 
to  which  I beg  leaue  to  ref  err.  None  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  New  Jersey  remoue  into  the  Neighbouring 
Collonys.  The  Millitia  of  New  Jersey  will  amount  to 
about  two  thousand  three  hundred  Men  besides  the 
Quakers,  but  of  this  you  shall  have  compleat  Lists  by 
the  first  opportunity.  Nothing  is  exported  from  the 
Prouince  of  New  Jersey  to  England;  Neither  has  the 
Prouince  of  New  Jersey  any  trade  with  any  other 
place,  except  the  neighbouring  Prouinces  of  New 
York,  and  Pensiluania,  the  Eastern  Diuision  bring 
their  grain  of  all  sorts  to  New  York,  and  their  sheep 
&c,  the  Western  Diuision  carry  all  their  produce  to 
Philadelphia  the  Western  Division  has  not  one  Vessell 
belonging  to  it;  the  last  year  some  of  the  Inhabitants 
df  the  Eastern  Diuision,  built  a sloop  and  fitted  her 
out  to  sea,  she  has  made  one  Voyage  to  Barbados,  and 
that  is  all  the  Vessels  that  belong  to  the  Eastern 
Diuision,  except  Wood  boats  that  bring  fire  wood  and 
pipe  staues  to  New  York,  the  Prouince  of  New  Jersey 
is  furnished  with  European  goods  thus,  the  Eastern 
Diuision  from  New  York,  the  Western  Diuision  from 
Philadelphia.  The  Province  of  New  Jersey  has  noe 
Trade  but  as  above  mentioned.  There  have  sometimes 
Goods  been  Run  into  the  Eastern  Diuision  by  Vessels 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  337 

bound  to  New  York,  but  it  is  now  pretty  well  known 
by  the  Men  of  Warr  lying  at  Sandy  Hook,  and  there 
is  an  Officer  at  Amboy,  there  have  likewise  goods  been 
run  on  shoar  in  the  Western  Diuision  by  Vessels  bound 
up  the  River  Delaware  to  Philadelphia,  Collonell 
Quary  has  appointed  an  Officer  at  Burlington  and  one 
at  Salem,  I hope  their  delligence  will  in  a great  meas- 
ure preuent  Illegall  Trade  on  that  side.  There  is  noe 
shipping  belonging  to  New  Jersey  except  as  is  men 
tioned  on  the  other  side;  Neither  is  there  any  seafaring 
Men,  unlesse  the  Men  that  goe  in  the  wood  boats  may 
be  called  such.  There  have  been  three  or  four  sloops 
and  one  Briganteen  built  at  Woodb ridge  in  the  Eastern 
Diuision  since  I came  to  the  Gouvernment  of  New 
Jersey,  and  one  Briganteen  and  one  sloop  have  been 
built  at  Burlington  in  the  Western  Diuision.  In  New 
Jersey  they  make  good  linnen  for  common  Use  and 
they  begin  to  make  woolen  stuffs.  I have  offered  my 
thoughts  to  your  Lordshipps  concerning  the  latter  of 
these,  In  my  letter  concerning  the  Prouince  of  New 
York,  to  which  I beg  leaue  to  ref  err,1  thus  I have 
endeauoured  to  answer  the  Queries  contained  in  your 
Lordshipp’s  letter  as  well  as  the  shortnesse  of  time  this 
Ship  allows  me,  I will  take  care  by  the  next  to  supply 
what  may  be  wanting  in  this. 

Your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to  command  me  to  Add 
whatever  else  I think  conducive  to  her  Maiesty’s  ser- 
uice,  to  the  Interest  of  England,  to  the  Aduantage  of 
that  perticular  Prouince,  and  to  your  assistance  in  the 
discharge  of  the  Trust  reposed  in  your  Lordshipps. 
Many  things  may  be  offered  under  these  directions, 


1 The  reference  was  as  follows:  "The  Manufactures  settled  in  this  Province  are 
Linen  and  Woolen;  they  make  very  good  Linnen  for  common  use.  and  I don't  doubt 
but  in  time  they  will  improve  that  considerably:  as  for  the  Woollen,  I think  they 
have  brought  that  to  great  perfection  already ; they  already  make  very  good  Serges, 
Linsey  Wolsey,  and  in  some  places  they  begin  to  make  coarse  cloth,  and  without 
doubt  in  a short  time  they  will  not  want  the  assistance  of  England  to  Cloth  them- 
selves.”—N.  Y.  Col.  Doct..  Vol.  V..  p.  59.— Ed. 

22 


•T1S  VDitlNtSTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

but  I dare  not  uenture  to  doe  it  off  hand,  but  by  the 
next  I will  endeauour  to  offer  such  things  to  your 
Lordshipps  as  may  be  proper  upon  this  subiect.  In 
the  mean  time  I think  it  my  Duty  to  lay  some  matters 
before  you  for  your  consideration,  which  I think  uery 
much  for  her  Maiesty’s  seruice,  tor  the  Interest  of 
England,  and  indeed  for  the  Advantage  of  that  par- 
ticular Province,  if  the  People  could  be  persuaded  to 
understand  things  right;  the  first  thing  is  the  Militia, 
but  hauing  mentioned  that  in  my  letter  concerning 
New  York,  I shall  say  no  more  of  it  in  this,  only  that 
the  Queen  must  not  expect  a Militia  Act  to  be  past,  as 
long  as  the  Quakers  are  allowed  to  sit  in  the  Assem- 
bly. The  next  thing  I shall  offer  to  your  Lordshipps 
considerations  is  that  some  method  may  be  directed  to 
enquire  into  the  quallifications  of  Members  returned  to 
serue  in  the  Generali  Assembly,  Her  Maiesty  is  pleased 
in  her  Instructions  to  me  to  direct  how  people  shall  be 
quaUified  to  chuse,  and  to  be  chosen,  and  that  noe 
person  though  chosen,  shall  be  suffered  to  sit  unlesse 
soe  quallified,  the  late  Lords  of  Trade  and  Plantations 
upon  a complaint  made  to  them  that  I kept  three 
Quakers  out  of  the  Assembly  (which  was  done  by 
Aduice  of  the  Councill,  and  only  till  they  shewed  their 
quallifications)  were  pleased  to  direct  me  for  the  future 
not  to  intermeddle  with  the  quallifications  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  the  Assembly  but  to  leaue  that  matter  to  the 
House  in  obedience  to  their  Lordshipps  commands, 
I have  not  Intermedeled  since  that  time,  the  conse- 
quence has  been  this,  that  upon  the  last  Election  in 
some  places  they  chose  some  persons  who  are  not 
qualified  according  to  her  Majesty’s  Instructions,  in  the 
Eastern  Diuision  they  chose  one  person  who  has  not  a 
foot  of  Land  in  the  Prouince,  nor  does  not  Inhabit  in 
the  Prouince,  but  because  he  is  a forward  Man,  and 
promised  them  that  if  he  were  chosen  he  would  not 
consent  to  the  giuing  a Reuenue  to  the  Queen,  they 
ohose  him,  and  the  House  have  suffered  him  to  sit 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  3&9 

notwithstanding  that  euery  Member  of  the  House 
knows  he  is  not  qualified;  there  are  more  of  the  same 
sort,  and  it  will  always  be  soe,  unlesse  Her  Maiesty  is 
pleased  to  appoint  some  Method  to  inquire  into  the 
qualifications  of  persons  returned  to  serue  in  the  As- 
sembly, other  than  the  House  themselves.  These 
things  I intreat  your  Lordshipps  consideration  off. 

Your  Lordshipps  are  pleased  to  signifie  to  me  that 
an  Act  of  Parliament  is  passed  for  a perfect  and  intire 
Union  of  the  two  Kingdoms  of  England  and  Scotland, 
and  you  are  pleased  to  say  that  you  send  me  two  of 
the  said  Acts  that  it  may  be  published  in  the  most 
solemn  manner  in  the  Prouince  of  New  Jersey  &c.  I 
take  the  liberty  to  acquaint  your  Lordshipps  that  I 
have  not  receiued  any  such  Acts,  but  hauing  procured 
oiie  from  the  Attorney  Generali  of  New  York,  I will 
take  care  to  publish  it  in  the  most  solemn  manner  pos- 
sible. 

I am  uerv  much  concerned  that  your  Lordshipps 
have  not  receiued  my  Letter  relating  to  Mr  Ormston 
and  M1  Sonmans,  because  besides  that  which  1 sent  by 
the  way  of  the  West  Indies,  I sent  a Duplicate  by  the 
way  of  Boston,  and  another  by  the  way  of  Philadel- 
phia I hope  some  of  them  have  reached  your  hands 
before  this  time,  however  I now  send  another  dupli- 
cate of  the  same;  and  I don’t  at  all  question  your 
Lordshipps  Justice  to  me.  I likewise  send  a Duplicate 
of  my  letter  of  the  21st  of  June  last;  in  which  you  will 
see  an  account  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Assembly  of 
New  Jersey  this  Spring  to  which  I beg  leaue  to  ref  err. 
Just  as  I was  going  to  seale  this  letter,  I haue  received 
her  Maiesty’s  commands  to  Admit  Mr  Sonmans  into 
the  Councill  which  shall  be  done  accordingly.  This  is 
all  I shall  trouble  your  Lordshipps  with  at  present  and 
remain 

My  Lords  Your  Lordshipps  most 

faithfull  humble  servant 

Lf  of  Trade  &c.  Cgrnbury. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


34o 


Nominations  for  the  Council  of  New  Jersey  from  Lord 

Cornbury. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T..  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  53.] 

List  of  the  Council  of  New  Jersey,  & of  persons 
recommended  by  the  Ld  Cornbury  to  sup- 
ply Vacancies  therein,  [ref err’d  to  in  fore- 
going letter.] 


List  of  Persons  fit  to  be  of  the  Council!. 


Persons  Names. 

Mr  Wheeler. 

Mr  Huddy. 

Mr  Newbold 
Captain  John  Bowne 
Captain  Kingsland. 
Mr  Longfield. 


; 

f 

I 

J 


Place  of  Abode. 

At  Burlington. 

Monmouth  County. 
Essex  County. 
Middlesex  County. 


List  of  the  present  Councill  of  New  Jersey. 

Persons  Names.  Place  of  Abode. 


Collonell  Ingoldsby  L*  G- 
Mr  Renell  [Revell] 

Mr  Leeds. 

Mr  Deacon,  a quaker. 

Mr  Pinhorn. 

Mr  Mompeson. 

Maior  Sandford. 

Collonell  Townley. 

Collonel  Quary. 

Collonell  Coxe. 

Mr  Sonmans. 

Two  are  dead  Yizt  Capts 


[ At  Burlington. 

J 

| At  Momit  Pinhorn. 

At  New  Barbados. 
At  Elizabeth  Towne 

jj-  At  Philadelphia. 

At  Amboy. 

Andrew  Bow  ne  of  the 


1708] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


341 


Eastern  Diuision,  and  M1  Dauenport  a Quaker  of  the 
Western  Diuision. 

I dont  send  your  Lordships  a full  List  for  the  Prou- 
ince  of  New  Jersey,  because  I would  willingly  be  bet- 
ter informed  then  I am,  of  the  circumstances  of  some 
people  I should  have  named. 

I should  be  glad  if  your  Lordshipps  please  that  Cap- 
tain John  Bowne  may  suply  the  place  of  Captain 
Andrew  Bowne,  for  the  Eastern  Diuision,  and  Mr 
Wheeler  may  suply  the  place  of  M1  Dauenport  in  the 
Western  Diuision. 


Letter  from  William  Lowndes,  Secretary  of  the  Com- 
missions of  the  Treasury,  to  Secretary  Popple  of 
the  Lords  of  Trade,  relating  to  the  Petition  of 
John  Keble. 

(.From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.,  Vol.  1,  C.  43.] 

Letter  from  Mr  Lowndes  inclosing  a Report 
from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Customs  to 
the  Lord  Treasurer  upon  the  Petition  of 
Mr.  Keble  & other  Papers  atf  a Manufac- 
ture of  Pot-Ashes  in  New  Jersey. 

To  William  Popple  JuiT  Esq1  Secretary  to  the  R‘ 
Honob!e  the  Lords  Commis’oners  for  Trade  and 
Plantations. 

These 

Sir 

The  inclosed  Report  of  the  Comm1 8 of  her  Majestys 
Customes  on  the  Petico’n  of  John  Keble  with  the  sev- 
erall  other  Papers  relateing  to  the  promoting  the  Man- 
ufacture of  Potashes  in  Her  Mat8  Plantac'ons  having 


342 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  I.ORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


been  laid  before  my  Lord  Trea’rer.  His  Lo’p  com- 
mands Me  to  transmit  the  same  to  Y ou.  and  desires 
Yon  will  please  to  lay  that  matter  before  the  Lords 
Com  in!!  for  Trade  and  Plantations  for  their  consider- 
c’on  therein.  I am 

Sir  Y our  most  humble  Servant 
Trea’ry  Chambers  Wm  Lowndes. 

7th  July  1708 
Mr  Popple 


Report  on  the  Petition  of  Mr  Keble. 

May  it  please  Your  Lord"' 

In  Obedience  ro  your  Lordp?  Commands  Signified  to 
us  by  M1  Lowndes  on  the  Annexed  Petition  of  John 
Keble  of  West  Jersey  adjoyningto  Pensyl vania  MerclT 
Setting  forth  that  about  8 years  past  he  went  over  to 
Pensylvania  and  there  purchased  a certain  tract  of 
Land,  whereon  he  planted  Tobacco.  Indian -corn  and 
made  Pott- Ash,  but  it  so  happened  that  both  him  self  e 
and  Servants  fell  sick  of  the  Seasonings,  whereby  he 
Lost  severall  of  his  Servants,  and  all  his  hoped  for 
Crop.  Which  Loss  (by  reason  of  his  great  expence)  he 
could  not  again  retreive  Yet  by  the  kind  assistance  of  a 
a Few  Friends  on  the  place  he  made  Some  further  pro- 
gress in  the  Pott-Ash  work,  and  brought  it  to  Such 
perfection  as  to  be  approved  by  the  Soap-boylers  in 
London  who  used  a small  Quantity  thereof,  as  may  be 
fairly  attested.  Afterwards  a greater  Cargo  Coming  over 
it  was  unfortunately  taken  by  the  French  to  the  very 
great  prejudice  of  the  Petition"  And  has  disabled  him 
in  the  progress  of  So  hopefull  an  undertaking.  Likely 
to  prove  very  beneticiall  to  the  Pul  dick. 

Humbly  praying  Yo1  Lord 1,3  favourable  recomenda- 
tion  to  the  Lords  Comm'  for  Plantations,  that  he  may 
have  Such  Encouragement  as  they  shall  judge  meet. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


343 


Wee  do  humbly  Report  to  Yo-  Lordp  That  Wee  have 
upon  this  Occasion  caused  an  Accompt  to  be  drawne 
out  (by  the  Inspector  Generali  of  the  Exports  and  Im- 
ports, of  Pott -ashes  and  Pearle-ashes  Imported  into 
this  Kingdom  from  the  East  Country  and  other  For- 
reigne  parts  in  Three  years  time  between  Christmas 
1703  and  Christmas  1706.  with  an  Estimate  of  their 
values,  And  for  your  Lordp3  more  particular  Informa- 
tion Wee  have  hereunto  Annexed  the  said  Accompt 
Wee  do  further  humbly  Acquaint  your  Lord1?  That  the 
Petition^  hath  produced  before  us,  some  Certificats  and 
Papers  tending  to  prove.  That  part  of  his  allegations. 
That  the  Pott-ashes  which  he  made  in  her  Ma’ ' Plan- 
tations were  approved  by  the  Soap-Bovlers  in  London, 
And  that  he  is  Capable  of  making  a further  progress 
in  his  undertaking.  And  Wee  are  Humbly  of  Opinion. 
That  if  the  manufacture  of  Potashes  can  be  brought  to 
perfection  in  the  plantations,  it  will  be  a useful  1 Trade, 
and  of  Publick  benefitt  to  this  Kingdom e 

Which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  vo‘  Lordps  Consider- 
tion 

Sam  Clarke 
T:  Newport 
Jo.  Worden 
J : Stanley 

Custome  House  London  M.  Dudley. 

1st  July  1708 


| Enclosed  ] 

The  Humble  Petition  of  John  Keble  of  West 
Jersey  acljoyning  to  Pensilv? 

[Of  similar  purport  to  that  made  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
see  page  304] 

An  Account  of  the  Quantity  of  Pott  & Pearle 


344 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 

Ashes,  Imported  into  England,  and  From  what  Parts 
from  Christmas  1703,  To  Christmas  1706.  In  three 
Distinct  Yeares,  with  an  Estimate  of  the  first  Cost  or 
Value — Viz. : 


\v  nrwr 

Ix 

Christmas 

1704 

What  Yea 

Christmas 

1705 

RS. 

Christmas 

1706 

I 

Total 

OF  THE 

3 Years. 

Pound 

wei’t 

Amount  of 
the  Estimate 
at  '2%  to  314 
Per  Pound.. 

£ S | D 

» * flL.' L. 

T MPfiRTPH 

Quantity 

Quantity 

Quantity 

l*nrU  ivIIjU 

Pound 

wei’t 

Pound 

wei't 

Pound 

wei’t 

East  Country 

i 3,373,021 

1.745.138 

3.074.335 

8.192.494 

104.  406  j 3 j 

6 

Holland 

20.921 

3.969 

3,245  i 

28.1&5 

1-35  ! 13  ! 

9 

Ireland 

14,581 

14,581 

182  5 j 

3 

Russia 

606.878 

816,571 

214.151 

1.637:600 

20.470  1 0 J 

0 

Swe’den 

7.040 

7,040 

88  0 1 

0 

New  England 

220 

" 

250 

3 ! 2 1 

6 

Pensilvania 

6:30 

630 

7 17 

0 

Prize-Goods 

2,016 

2.016 

‘ 25  1 4 

0 

Germany.  Pearl 1 

Ashes  w'ch  pavs.. 



! 

Duty  as  Pott- Ash. . 

185,278 

25,202 

84.911  i 

j 295,386 

3,692  6 

1 

6 

Totals  

| 4.201,304 

2,593,146 

3.383,682 

• 10,178,132  l 

1 

! 127,226  ! 13  1 

6 

Inspect:  GenH8 

Office  29th  June  1708. 


Proposals  of  John  Keble  for  manufacturing  Pot-ashes 
in  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  44. J 

The  Proposals  of  John  Keble,  of  West  Jersey  hi 
America  for  carrying  on  the  Pot-ash  works 
in  her  Majesties  Plantations  there. 

The  Potash  I made  first  there,  was  about  fifty  hun- 
dred weight  whereof  two  Barrels  of  it  was  transmitted 
to  London  & well  approved  by  the  Soap-makers,  as 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  345 

appear  by  a Certificate,  the  next  Cargo  was  Unfor- 
tunately taken  by  the  French  in  its  passage  for  Eng- 
land, if  otherwise  the  said  Cargo  had  safely  arrived  to 
have  produced  a Return  it  would  have  Enabled  me  to 
have  made  a farther  progress  in  the  said  work. 

That  I am  the  Chief est  Person  who  with  great  ex- 
pence & Industry  brought  this  Work  to  such  Perfec- 
tion, is  certified  by  the  Honorable  William  Penn  Esq: 
& others  who  know  the  Circumstances  of  this  Affair. 

In  the  first  place  returns  are  as  appear  by  the  Cer- 
tificate at  50  or  60  P Cl  & is  a great  hindrance  in  take- 
ing  off  our  Woolen  & Linen  Manufacture  &c. 

And  whereas  the  Pot- ashes  that  are  made  in  the 
Czar  of  Muscovies  Country,  he  has  made  an  act  that 
what  Manufactury  of  Pot-ashes  &c.  we  have  from 
thence  must  be  paid  two  thirds  in  Money  & one  in  Goods. 

Which  if  this  Undertaking  of  mine  in  America  meets 
with  Encouragement  it  will  take  off  none  of  our  money 
& will  be  made  of  the  Country’s  produce  & be  a means 
of  making  good  Returns  to  England. 

The  supply  that  I humbly  beg  is  Two  Hundred 
Pound  & the  Transport  of  Sixteen  Servants  along 
with  the  Convoy’s  that  go  with  my  Lord  Lovelace  to 
New  York  & a Patent  to  make  Salt  in  North  America 
being  I am  the  first  Projecture  of  it. 

Which  Salt  Pans  being  once  set  at  Work,  the  wood 
that  I boyl  my  Salt  off  with,  will  Supply  me  with  a 
good  quanty  of  ashes  and  ye  Salt  that  the  Pans  pro- 
duce will  be  a constant  Supply  for  raising  me  Effects 
for  making  of  ye  said  Pot-ashes  that  if  it  should  please 
God  that  I should  meet  with, any  Losses  by  Sea  still 
this  would  be  a Constant  support  to  me  in  Carrying 
oii  of  the  Pot-ash  Works. 

So  soon  as  it  shall  please  God  I shall  arrive  there  I 
have  a Potash  Work  ready  that  will  make  about  20 
Tonn  a year,  which  I intend  to  go  to  Work  upon,  & 
when  I have  finished  my  Salt-Pans  that  they  be  at 


346  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

Work  I intend  to  enlarge  my  Pot-ash  Works  as  a Year 
after  my  arrivall  to  make  about  50  Tonn  a Year,  & as 
it  please  God  to  bless  my  undertakeing  shall  be  for 
further  Inlarging  the  works. 

Haveing  these  aforesaid  incouragements  I shall  not 
be  wanting  in  making  the  Pot-ash  Publick  being  such 
a Noble  Country  for  Wood  & of  such  a vast  extent  that 
in  One  or  two  Years  Time  will  bring  a Considerable 
Revenue  to  the  Crown,  besides  the  Returns  for  ye 
Country. 

That  for  the  Two  Hundred  Pound,  I pray  to  be  ad- 
vanced to  my  Assistance  and  Encouragement,  I will 
Oblige  my  self  after  the  first  Year  to  pay  her  Majesty 
fifty  pound  thereof  & so  Yearly  till  the  whole  be  paid, 
which  Encouragement,  I humbly  hope  will  be  granted 
Since  it  is  Apparent  many  good  Effects  are  likely  to 
Accrue  to  the  Publick,  & to  the  advantage  & Emolu- 
ments of  her  Majesties  said  Plantations  &c. 


[ Additional  Proposal  Received  8th  July  1 708 1 

My  Proposals  that  I humbly  offer’d  for  a Patent  for 
the  making  of  Salt.  I apprehend  the  chief  Foundation 
towards  carrying  on  of  my  Pot-ash  Works,  and  am 
willing  to  pay  the  Queen  Six  pence  a Bushell  for  what 
Salt  I m/ike,  and  I propose  to  make  two  hundred  Bus- 
hels a Week  which  will  so  far  enable  me,  that  in  a 
year  after  my  Arrival,  I intend  to  make  or  cause  to  be 
made  about  Fifty  Tons  a year,  wch  pays  Duty  to  her 
Maty  5£  10s.  P Tun  for  ye  Pot-ash  wcl‘  is  in  y year  27  o£, 
besides  yc  Salt  wch  will  pay  near  as  much,  and  for  ye 
Transporters  Sixteen  Servants,  it  will  not  amount  to 
about  80£  wch  he  craves  may  be  allowed  him  in  regard 
the  two  hundred  pounds,  wch  I humbly  desire  to  be  ad- 
vanced, is  to  be  repaid  in  four  years  time  after  yL  first 
year  of  my  arrival. 


John  Keble. 


1708 J 


ADMINISTRATION'  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


347 


Letter  from  Secretary  Popple  to  Secretary  Lowndes . 
about  the  Petition  of  John  Keble. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  12.  Page  459.) 

To  William  Lowndes,  Esqr  in  Answer  to  his 
Letter  of  July  7th 

Sr: 

The  Lords  Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Plantations 
having  consider’d  the  Report  from  the  Commission™  of 
Her  Majesty’s  Customs  to  my  Lord  High  Treasurer, 
Upon  the  Petition  of  John  Keble  of  West  Jersey,  re- 
lating to  his  setting  up  a Pot  Ash  Work  in  that 
Province,  referred  to,  in  your  Letter  of  the  7^  Instant, 
And  their  Lordships  having  also  received  from  the 
said  Keble  his  particular  proposal  in  that  behalf;  They 
have  Commanded  me  to  desire  You  to  Lay  before  my 
Lord  High  Treasurer  the  Substance  of  the  Said  propo- 
sals with  their  Lordships  opinion  thereupon,  as 
follows; 

l8.1  He  desires,  for  the  better  enabling  him  to  carry 
on  the  said  Pot  Ash  Work,  That  Her  Majesty  would 
be  pleased  to  advance  to  him  two  Hundred  pounds; 
That  lie  will  give  Sufficient  Security  here  for  the  repay- 
ment thereof  in  five  Years  ( Viz1)  Fifty  pounds  at  the 
end  of  two  first  Years,  and  fifty  pounds  a year  after- 
wards, till  the  whole  be  paid;  and  that  the  said  Bond 
be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Right  Honourable  the 
Lord  Lovelace,  the  Said  payment  may  be  made  to  his 
Lordship,  for  her  Majesty’s  Use  at  New  York. 

2d.ly  He  desires  that  Her  Majesty  would  be  pleased 
to  give  him  the  Transportation  of  16  Servants,  which 
he  proposes  may  be  done  at  five  pounds  P head  in  the 
Ship  that  is  to  carry  over  the  Lutherans  and  the  Re- 
cruits to  New  York,  and  without  which  Servants  he 
cannot  proceed  upon  the  Pot  Ash  Work.  He  pro- 


348 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE; 


[1708 


poses  the  first  Year  to  make  20  Tun  of  Pot-ashes,  The 
next  Year  fifty,  And  doubts  not  but  after  he  shall 
be  well  settled,  to  make  Annually  a much  greater 
quantity  and  will  make  it  as  good,  and  sell  it  as  Cheap 
as  what  we  have  from  foreign  Countries. 

Lastly.  He  proposes  for  his  further  Encouragement, 
and  for  the  better  Enabling  him  to  carry  on  the  said 
Work,  that  He  may  have  a Patent  for  14  Years  for 
making  Salt  in  West  Jersey,  Exclusive  of  all  others  in 
America;  Without  which  he  shall  not  be  able  so 
Effectually  to  carry  on  the  said  Work;  for  the  Wood 
burnt  in  making  of  Salt,  will  afford  him  considerable 
quantity  of  Ashes,  And  the  Salt  will  Supply  him  with 
Effects  for  carrying  on  the  pott-ash  work;  But  their 
Lordships  having  objected  to  him,  that  the  making 
of  Salt  in  America  is  not  a mere  Invention,  and  there- 
fore does  not  Entitle  him  to  the  Benefit  of  the  Statute 
of  the  21s?  of  King  James  the  first,  Chap:  3r*  He  said 
that  he  did  not  doubt  to  procure  Certificates  from  all 
the  General  Assemblies  there,  of  their  Concurrence 
with  his  desire  of  having  Such  a Patent;  and  that  he 
hoped  that  when  he  had  transmitted  over  such  Certi- 
cates,  which  he  promised  tc  do,  after  his  Arival  there, 
Her  Majesty  would  be  gratiously  pleased  to  grant  his 
request. 

Upon  the  Whole,  their  Lordships  are  of  Opinion 
That  Pot -Ashes  being  a Commodity  so  absolutely 
necessary  here,  The  Setting  up  of  Pot  Ash  Works  in 
the  Plantations,  will  be  of  very  great  advantage  to  this 
Kingdom,  Besides  the  particular  advantage  it  will  be 
to  Her  Majesty  in  Her  Revenue  of  the  Custom's;  And 
therefore  such  a Work  ought  to  be  Incourag’d  and 
promoted  as  much  as  may  be;1  for  the  returns  for  the 
American  Pott- Ashes  will  be  made  in  the  Woolen  and 


1 There  is  no  information  as  to  Mr.  Keble’s  success,  but  in  July.  1729,  the  mer- 
chants of  London  asked  that  the  manufacture  of  both  Pot  and  Pearl  Ashes  might 
be  encouraged  in  the  plantations,  and  some  interesting  documents  referring  thereto 
will  be  found  in  the  succeeding  volume.— Ed. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  349 

other  Manufactures  of  this  Kingdom;  whereas  at  pres- 
ent all  the  Pott  Ashes  we  have  from  the  Czar  of  Mus- 
covy’s Dominions,  are  paid  for  two  thirds  in  money 
and  but  one  third  in  Goods,  which  is  a great  disadvan- 
tage in  Our  Trade.  For  which  Reasons  their  Lord- 
ships  think  it  will  be  for  the  benefit  or  this  Kingdom, 
that  Her  Majesty  be  pleased  to  give  the  said  Keble 
Credit  for  two  Hundred  pounds  upon  Security,  for  re- 
paying the  said  Sum  in  the  manner  aforesaid,  he  being 
disabled  in  his  fortune,  by  reason  that  his  last  Cargo 
of  Pott:  Ash  intended  to  be  imported  here,  was  taken 
by  the  French  Their  Lordships  further  offer  that  her 
Majesty  be  pleased  to  allow  him  the  Transportation  of 
16  Servants  at  5£  P head,  As  proposed. 

As  for  his  Patent  of  making  Salt,  Their  Lordships 
have  nothing  to  offer  upon  that  head,  till  they  shall 
receive  from  him  the  Certificates  he  has  promised  to 
send.  Iam  S-  Your  mostHumble  Servant 
Whitehall  j W™  Popple 

July:  15V1708.  ) 


Order  of  Council  restoring  Lewis  Morris  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  New  Jersey. 

I From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  51.] 

Order  of  Council  upon  the  Letter  to  ye  E.  of 
Sunderland  of  the  1st  of  July  1708,  relating 
to  Mr  Morris’s  being  restored  to  his  Place  in 
the  Council  of  New  Jersey. 

At  the  Court  of  Kensington  the  18th  August 

1708. 

Present 

The  Queens  most  Excell*  Majesty  in  Councill. 
Upon  reading  this  day  at  the  Board  a Letter  from 
the  Lords  Corn1:8  of  Trade  and  plantations  to  the  Earle 


350  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

of  Sunderland  Her  Maty*  Principall  Secretary  of  State 
in  the  words  following  Viz! 

Mem?  here  y?  LTe  for  Constituting  Lewis  Morris  of 
the  Councill  of  New  Jersey  instead  of  John  Harrison, 
was  inserted  at  large. 

Her  Majesty  in  Councill  approving  what  is  above 
proposed  is  thereupon  pleased  to  Order  that  the  Right 
Honourable  the  Earle  of  Sunderland  One  of  Her  Mats 
Principall  Secretarys  of  State  doe  Cause  to  be  prepared 
what  is  necessary  for  the  signification  of  Her  Mats 
pleasure  herein  accordingly. 

Chas:  Musgrave 


Account  of  Her  Majesty's  Revenues  and  Fines  from 
December , 1704,  to  December , 1708. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  84.  J 

A General  State  of  the  Account  of  Her  Majes- 
ties Revenue  on  ye  Province  of  New  Jersey 
from  ye  13th  Day  of  Xber  1704,  That  ye  same 
was  Settled  for  Two  years  by  Act  of  Assem- 
bly, to  ve  13th  Xber  1706,  That  yft  same  ex- 
pired1 

The  Province  of  New  Jersey  was  to  Pay  to  Her  Maj- 
esty. 

In  y*  Xber  1704  to  ye  13  Xb#r  1705 £2000 

The  Several  Counties  here  under  named  were  to  pay: 

1705. 

Bergen  County — 123  13  3 3 

Essex  County- 310  15 

Middlesex  County 283  0 7 


1 Transmitted  by  Mr.  Cockeril  to  the  Earl  of  Stamford . 


1708]  A D MIN1STR  ATIO X OF 

LORD  LOVELACE. 

Somerset  County 

. . 50 

8 4 2 

Monmouth  County 

310 

12 

Cape  May  County 

11  4 

Salem  County ... 

--  292 

18  7 

Gloeester  County 

..  153 

16 

Burlington  County 

_.  414 

9 2 

2012  1 

1 706. 

Bergin  County. 

..  113 

17  9 

Essex  County 

..  334 

4 5 2 

Middlesex  County 

..  258 

15  8 

Somerset  County. 

..  78 

18  6 

Monmouth  County 

..  322 

8 3 

Cape  May  County 

. . 65 

4 6 

Salem  County 

..  275 

6 

Gloeester  County 

..  164 

9 

Burlington  County 

. . 406 

10  7 3 

2020 

£4033  2 6 

The  said  Counties  hare  paid  to  ye  Receiver  General: 

1705. 

By  Andries  Lawrence  of  Bergin 122  5 3 

By  Theophilus  Pierson  of  Essex...  314  14  (j 

By  Thomas  Pike  of  Middlesex ^74  12  0 

By  John  Harrison  of  Somerset 50  8 0 

By  Ben  Burden  of  Monmouth 310  12 

By  john  Hand  of  Cape  May 61  16  4 

By  Tho.  Thompson  of  Salem 280  5 9 3 

By  Will.  Warner  of  Gloeester.  _ . ...  127  2 4 2 

By  Nath1  Westland  of  Burlington. . 400 

1951  17  3 1 


1706. 

By  Andries  Lawrence  of  Bergin 113  17  9 

By  Theopilus  Pierson  of  Essex 335  4 5 2 

By  Thomas  Pike  of  Middlesex 188  19  3 


352 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


By  john  Harrison  of  Somerset 78  18  0 

By  Ben:  Burden  of  Monmouth 322  8 3 

By  john  Hand  of  Cape  May 54  14  1 2 

By  Tho.  Thompson  of  Salem 275  12  9 

By  Will.  Warner  of  Glocester 170  16 


By  Nath!  Westland  of  Burlington..  402  14  9 

1942  11  4 


3394  8 

Her  Majesty  was  to  pay  to  her  officers  in  s?  Province: 

1705. 


To  His  Exc.y  ye  Governor 650 

To  ye  honble  Lieut.  Governor 300 

To  ye  Chief  Justice 130 

Toy6  Second  judge 100 

To  y6  Attorney  General 100 

To  ye  Secretary  for  Salary 30 

To  d°  as  Clark  of  ye  Council 50 

To  d°  for  contingencies 20  100 

To  ye  Clark  of  ye  Assembly 50 

To  d°  for  contingencies 20  70 

To  ye  Printer 50 

To  y?  Governor  Houses  Rent  &c_.  180 

To  y?  Receiver  General 260 

To  ye  Door  Keeper  of  ye  Council ..  30 


To  y6  Doorkeeper  of  ye  Assembly.  30 

2000 


1706. 


To  His  Excell:'  ye  Governor 650 

To  ye  lionb,.e  y6  lieut.  Governor.  1 ..  300 

Toy?  Chief  justice 130 

To  y?  Second  judge 100 

To  ye  Attorney  General 100 

To  ye  Secretary  & Clerk 100 

To  ye  Clerk  of  y?  Assembly 70 

To  y6  Printer — 50 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


353 


To  ye  Governor’s  houses,  &c 180 

To  ye  Receiver  General 260 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  of  ye  Council. ..  30 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  of  ye  Assembly.  30 


To  ye  Secretary  for  other  contin- 
gencies   

To  May  Bickley  Esqr  for  extraor- 
dinary Services  to  ye  Govern- 
ment   


-2000 

£4000 

40  15  6 


14 

£4054  15  6 


The  Receiver  General  has  paid  to  Her  Mafties  sd 
Officer : 

1705. 


To  ye  Governor  for  Salary 650 

To  d°  for  Houses  Rent  &c 180 

To  ye  Lieut!  Governor ...  300 

To  ye  Chief  justice  advanced 130 

To  ye  second  judge  advanced.  100 

To  ye  Attorney  Gen!  advanced. . _ . 66 

To  y?  Secretary  & Clerk 88  10 

To  ye  Clark  of  y?  Assembly 51  18 

To  ye  Printer  advanced 24 

To  y?  Receiver  General 260 

1850  8 


1706. 


To  y?  Governor -for  Salary 650 

To  D°  for  Houses  Rent  &c 180 

To  D°  advanced  on  Ditto 61  9 1 

To  ye  Lieut!  Governor. 300 

To  yu  Chief  justice 140 

To  yc  second  judge 100 

To  ye  Attorney  General 89  4 2 3 

To  ye  Secretary  and  Clerk.. 152  5 6 

23 


354 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


To  y?  Clerk  of  ye  Assembly 58  1 9 

To  y*  Printer 18 

To  ye  Receiver  General 260 

To  May  Bickley  Esqr. 14 

To 

2050  19  3 

The  Whole  Summe  Paid  is.. ___£3901  7 3 

and  the  Summe  Received  was 3894  8 7 1 


The  Receiver  General  therefore  Paid  more 

then  he  Received 6 18  5 2 

Memorandum  j\  on  ye  £89  4 2 3 Past  here  above  on  Mr 
Attorney  General’s  acco‘  there  is  a Vote  of  £25.  Philadelphy 
Money,  makin  here  £22  4 5 2 accepted,  but  not  yet  Paid. 


There  Remains  yet  Due  to  said  Officers: 


1705. 

To  yB  Attorney  Gen!  on  warP 14 

To  d°  without  warrant 20 

To  ye  Secretary  & Clark 11  10 

To  ye  Clark  of  ye  Assembly 18  2 

To  y Printer 26 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  to  y?  Council 30 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  to  ye  Assembly.  30 

To  ye  sum’e  Due  being 149  12 

adding  y®  sum’e  Paid  being.  _ 1850  8 


you’ll  have 

1706. 


2000 


Toy8  Attorney  General 44  15  9 1 

To  ye  Clark  of  ye  Assembly 30  2 

To  y?  Printer 58 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  to  y?  Council 60 

To  ye  Doorkeeper  to  ye  Assembly. . 60 

To  ye  sum’e  Due  being 252  16 

Adding  ye  sum’e  Paid  being. . 3901  7 


3 


you’ll  have 


£4154  3 1 


1708] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


355 


Out  of  which  Deducting  w*  ad- 
vanced being  To  ye  Governor.  61  9 1 

To  ye  Lieu*  Governor.  _ 37  18  6 


37  18  6 


You’ll  have  then 


4054  15  6 


being  ye  Sum’e  ye  Necessary  Charges  amounted  unto. 

General  Accompt.  of  Fines  in  New  Jersey. 


Debtor. 

December  28  To  Peter  Fauconnier  for  Travel- 


spent  going 

the  Governin'  thro’  Burlington,  ^ 
Glocester  & Salem  Counties,  about  / 
the  Militia  Fines,  at  20  Shelings  a l 
Day,  on  which  He  has  Received  vH\ 

£29  3 8 on  yf  other  side  and  there-  ] 
fore  there  Remains  still  Due  to 
Him  £16  10  4 to  make  up  said/ 

General  Accompt.  of  Fines  in  New  Jersey. 

1706. 

Creditor. 

Novemb.  5.  By  His  Excellency  My 
Lord  Cornbury  for  33 
Sheep  Delivered  Him 
Cap"  William  Dare  at 
Burlington  & sold  to  Mr 
1707  Henry  Malows  by  his 
Lordship  for  £12  Phil- 
adelphia Money  wc.b  at 
£12i  per  cent  Differ- 
ence makes 10  13  4 


1708. 


ing  Charge"  TJ’~  14 r"~~ 

2 Horses  frc 
x’,er  1708, 


35G 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


May  1.  By  ditto  for  one  Sheep 
put  on  Board  of  His 
Lordships  sloop  by  s'! 

Dare  at  Salem 15 

My  Lord  Cornbury 
is  therefore  still  Debt- 
or to  said  acco*  of 

Fines,  for.. 

D.  By  Cash  Received  of 
sd  Will.  Dare  for  2 
Sheep  by  Him  sold  at 
Salem  for  £1  12  10 
Philadelphia  Money 

being 1 9 

Xovemb.  5.  By  D°  Received  of  sd. 

Will.  Dare  in  £12  Phil- 
adelphia Money 10  13 

1708  Febv.  25  By  D°  Received  of  ye 
Late  Sherif  of  Mon- 
mouth County  Daniel 

Hendrickse.  6 

Xb!r  2.  By  D°  Received  of 
Cap"  Peter  Long  in  £7 
9 goods  Philadelphia 

Money 6 12 

By  D°  Received  of 
Cap".  David  Straughen 
of  Salem  in  £5  Phila- 
Money 4 8 


11  8 4 


10 


29  3 8 


£40  12 

I certifie  These  to  be  True  accompts  witness  my 
Hand.  Fauconnier. 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


357 


Report  of  Mr.  P.  Fauconnier  on  papers  retained  by 
Lord  Cornbury. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.,  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C,  S3,  81.1 

Accompt  of  Several  Publick  Papers  yet  in  the 
Lord  Cornbury’s  hands  February  1709 
transmitted  by  nY  Cockerill  to  the  Earl  of 
Stamford. 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency 

According  to  what  I cloe  conceive  to  be  my  duty  in 
Respect  to  the  office  I have  the  Honor  to  Beare  under 
Your  Lordship  in  New  Jersey;  First  I Lay  Before  your 
Excellency  in  a Sheet  of  Paper,  the  whole  State  of  Her 
Majesties  accompt  of  Revenue,  and  Fines,  in  Said 
Province,  to  y?  13th  day  of  Xbvr  1706,  that  the  Same 
expired,  Since  which  all  Salaries  according  to  y?  ac- 
count and  Establishment  hereunto  annexed,  are  owing 
and  growing  Due;  and  then  I'll  Beg  leave  to  acquaint 
Your  Excellency,  that  there  are  Several  Papers  and 
Original  acts  of  Government,  concerning  both  the 
Lords  Propriators  and  Her  Majesties  Interest  in  that 
Province,  wch  are  yet  in  My  Lord  Cornbury’s  hands,  & 
wch  I supose  the  Trouble  of  mind  He  Lays  under,  has 
made  Him  forget  to  Deliver  to  your  Excellency,  that 
having  an  account  thereof  before  you  in  writing,  you 
may  the  better  take  what  measures  you’ll  think  most 
proper  in  Relation  thereunto; 

1-  Among  other  Papers,  there  are  Several  Bundles 
of  Proceedings  of  the  Governors  & Council,  and  of  the 
Courts  during  the  time  of  the  Propriatory  Govern- 
ment, Dehvered  Him  for  His  Perusal  by  Mr  Huddy 
while  Secretary. 


358 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1708 


2ly  Two  original  wills,  one  of  Briget  Guy,  & y?  other 
of  Thomassin  Fowle,  in  Both  wch  are  conciderable 
Legacies  left  to  the  Quakers  Meeting;  wether  ye  Same 
be  Devolved  to  y.e  Crown,  The  Said  Meeting  being  not 
a Body  corporat,  and  therefore  not  capable  of  Inherit- 
ing (as  His  Lordship  thought  when  He  took  them  in 
His  hands)  or  noe,  is  what  I humbly  Leave  to  your 
Excellencies  Determination. 

31.*  The  original  Acts  of  Assembly  for  Indian  Pur- 
chasses,  and  the  ordinances  for  Fees,  and  for  Estab- 
lishing of  Courts. 

41?  A Bond  of  £200.  Philadelphia  money  from  one 
Richard  Robins  to  one  Samuel  Hunter,  Whereupon 
there  is  neer  Five  years  Interest  Due,  and  ready  to  be 
Paid  when  the  Bond  appears,  said  Robins  being  good 
and  able  to  Pay  (as  I am  Informed)  the  said  Bond 
belongs  to  Her  Majesty,  the  Estate  of  said  Hunter 
having  been  legally  forfeited  to  Her  Majesty  after  His 
Escape,  He  being  arrained  wth  one  Mary  Taylor,  for 
Poysoning  Her  Husband. 

5ly  Several  Escheats  and  Forfeitures  not  yet  wholy 
Determined,  (viz*) 

The  Papers  relating  to  50.  acres  of  Land  near  Moores, 
& 200.  acres  at  Maniton  near  Salem,  y*  Capn  Daves 
lives  upon,  belonging  to  y?  Estate  of  john  Woodrof 
Deceased  infested,  without  any  Heir  y*  has  yet  ap- 
peared. 

6!y  The  Executions  ag-  Henry  Slouby  for  Piracy,  & 
Peter  Blackfields  and  Hedge  for  Entring  Se- 

curity for  Him,  Their  Estates  wch  are  prety  considera- 
bles, falling  to  mine  for  wants  of  being  carefully  lookt 
after. 

7ly  Several  other  Such  Public  Papers  ye  Nature 
whereof  I’ll  acquaint  yor  Excy  wth  as  y?  Same  comes  to 
my  Knowledge,  as  I shall  likewise  allways  be  ready  to 
communicat  to  Yor  Lordship,  without  all  manner  of 
Privat  affection.  Prejudice,  and  Partiality,  what  some 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


359 


years  Experience  and  observations,  has  made  me  capa- 
ble to  Know  of,  or  relating  to,  any  Publik  matters  and 
Transactions,  when  ever  Your  Excellency  shall  think 
fitt  to  Lay  your  commands  on  me;  I thinking  my  Self 
wholy  obliged  to  Serve  yo.r  Excy  in  This  and  all  other 
Respects,  with  zeale  and  Sincerity,  not  only  by  the 
Duty  of  my  office,  but  above  all  by  reason  of  my  lib- 
erty, which  I acknowledge  I oweth  entirely  to  your 
Excellency,  I Reckoning  my  Self  Free  from  a Kind  of 
of  Slavery,  that  y?  Interest  of  my  Family  made  me 
Submit  unto,  and  in  a condition  to  Demand  my  owne, 
so  long  and  so  unjustly  detained,  but  from  the  happy 
Day  of  your  Lordship’s  arrival  into  This  Province. 
These  are  the  Thoughts  and  jf  real  Disposition  of 
mind  of 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency  your  Lordships 
Most  Duty  full  & most  obedient  Humble  Servant 

P.  Fauconnier 

New  York  February  ye  8th  170y. 


Letter  from  Lord  Lovelace , Governor  of  New  Jer- 
sey, to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

Letter  from  the  Ld  Lovelace  Governor  of  New 
Jersey,1  Rece’d  25*?  May  1709 

My  Lords. 

I am  come  hither  to  hold  an  assembly,  which  Met 
Yesterday  and  chose  Mr  Thomas  Gordon  Speaker,  I 
have  given  orders  for  ye  proper  Officers  to  transcribe 
fair  accts  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Councill,  and  assem- 
bly, that  were  holden  both  here  and  at  New  York. 
The  Lists  of  the  Ships  Entred  and  Cleared,  and  the 


1 Lord  Lovelace  arrived  at  New  York,  December  18th,  1708,  after  a passage  of 
nine  weeks  and  odd  days.'’  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts,  Vol.  V.,  page  67.  He  summoned  the 
New  Jersey  Council  to  meet  him  at  Bergen,  December  20th.  See  Smith’s  New 
Jersey,  p 355. — Ed. 


360  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1708 

Accounts  of  the  Bevenue  during  my  Lord  Combury's, 
time  there  is  Allso  preparing  now  an  Acc*  of  The 
Kemains  of  the  Stores  of  War  at  New  York,  and  Al- 
bany, I know  not  how  Soon  they  can  be  got  Beady, 
But  I shall  send  yr  Lo'  Quarterly,  or  half  Yearly  ac- 
counts of  these  things  during  my  Continuance  here. 
Yr  Lo  directions  relating  to  the  accounts  of  the  Yum 
bers  of  the  Negroes  imported  from  Africa  for  Several! 
years  past  I am  afraid  Cannot  be  C’omplyed  with,  but 
I will  endeav  in  all  things  to  follow  My  Instructions, 
and  give  yr  Lop5  from  time  to  time  an  account  of  my 
Proceedings. 

I take  the  Liberty  to  add  that  Mr  Mompesson  hav- 
ing heal'd  Since  my  arrival  that  two  Gentlemen  in 
England  are  putting  in  for  his  office  of  Chief  Justice, 
hath  desired  me  to  Bemind  Yr  Lop5  of  a Letter  which 
Yr  Lc r 5 Sent  to  my  Lord  Cornbury  an  Extract  of  Part 
whereof  is  Inclosed,  and  thinking  from  thence  himself 
Secure  in  his  Imployment  hath  therefore  made  no  ap- 
plication to  England  to  be  Confirmd  Nor  b egg*1  the 
Favour  of  Y*  Lop5  Beccommendation  to  the  Queen,  on 
his  behalf 

I am  My  Lords 

Your  Lordships  most 

obedient  humble  Servant 
Lovelace 

Perth  Amboy 
March  y*  4th  170| 


Documents  connected  with  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Council  and  Assembly  of  Xew  Jersey , March  and 
April  1709 

.From  P.  R O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  VoL  1,  C-  81.] 

The  Lord  Lovelace,  his  Speech  to  Yf  assembly 
of  New-Jersey:  The  Councils  address  to 


1708]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


361 


Her  Majesty,  and  Several  other  addresses 
from  the  Council,  the  Representatives  &cd 
to  the  Lord  Lovelace.1 

His  Excellency 

John  Lord  Lovelace,  Baron  of  Hurley,  Capt.  General 
and  Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  Nova 
Caesarea  or  New  Jersey,  New  York  and  Territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America  and  Vice-Admiral  of  the 
same. 

His  Speech 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  New  Jersey , conven'd  at 
Amboy  the  4th  day  of  March  1708  [1708-9] 

Gentlemen ; 

I am  very  sensible  of  the  great  Difficulties  that  do 
attend  this  honorable  Imployment  in  which  her  Ma- 
jesty hath  been  pleased  to  place  me,  the  Government 
of  this  Province;  but  I hope  you  will  never  fail  to 
assist  me  to  serve  the  Queen  and  her  People  here. 

Her  Majesty  hath  shewn  in  the  whole  course  of  her 
Reign,  a Reign  glorious  beyond  Example,  how  much 
she  aims  at  the  good  and  prosperity  of  her  People. 
She  hath,  with  indefatigable  pains,  united  her  two 
kingdoms  of  England  and  Scotland,  and  she  continues 
the  same  application  to  unite  the  Minds  of  all  her  Sub- 
jects. This  is  her  great  care,  and  ought  to  be  that  of 
those  whom  she  deputes  to  govern  those  distant  Prov- 
inces, which  are  not  so  happy  by  their  Situation  to  be 
under  her  more  immediate  Government. 

I cannot  set  before  me  a better  Pattern;  I shall  en- 
deavour therefore  to  recommend  myself  to  you  by  fol- 
lowing (as  far  as  I am  able)  her  Example. 

I perswade  myself,  I shall  not  give  you  any  just 

1 Reced:  14  November  1709.  Transmitted  by  Mr.  Cockeril  to  the  Earl  of 
Stamford. 


362 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


cause  to  be  uneasie  under  my  Adminstration;  and  I hope 
you  will  not  be  uneasie  with  one  another.  Let  past 
Differences  and  Animosities  be  buried  in  Oblivion,  and 
let  us  all  seek  the  Peace  and  Welfare  of  our  Country. 

Her  Majesty  w7ould  not  be  burthensom  to  her 
People,  but  there  being  an  absolute  necessity  that  the 
Government  be  supported  I am  directed  to  recommend 
that  matter  to  your  Consideration.  You  know  best 
what  the  Province  can  conveniently  raise  for  its  sup- 
port, and  the  easiest  Methods  of  raising  it. 

There  is  another  thing  also  will  require  your  Con- 
sideration, the  making  of  a Law  for  the  putting  the 
Militia  upon  some  better  foot  than  it  is  at  present, 
with  as  much  ease  to  the  People  as  possible. 

I shall  only  add,  That  I shall  be  always  ready  to 
give  my  assent  to  whatever  Laws  you  shall  find  neces- 
sary for  promoting  Religion  and  Vertue,  for  the  en- 
couragement of  Trade  and  Industry,  for  the  dis- 
couragement of  Vice  and  Profaneness,  and  for  any 
other  matter  or  thing  relating  to  the  good  of  the 
Province. 


To  his  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Capt. 
General  & Governor  in  Chief  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New- J ersey , &c. 

The  Humble  address  of  the  General  assembly 
of  New-Jersey. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency ; 

We  esteem  it  our  great  happiness  that  her  Majesty 
has  placed  a person  of  so  much  Temper  and  Modera- 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


363 


tion  over  us,  and  make  no  question  your  Excellency 
will  surmount  every  Difficulty  with  Honour  and  Safety. 

Her  Majesty’s  Reign  will  make  a bright  Leaf  in  His- 
tory; and  as  ’tis  the  advantage  of  the  present,  so  ’twill 
be  the  admiration  of  future  ages,  not  more  for  her 
Success  abroad  than  her  Prudence  at  home;  and  tho’ 
our  distance  has,  and  may  sometimes  be  disadvanta- 
ges to  us,  yet  we  experience  the  Effect  of  her 
Princely  Care,  in  putting  an  end  to  the  worst  adminis- 
tion  New- Jersey  ever  new,  by  sending  your  Excellency, 
whose  administration  must  alway  be  easie  to  her  Ma- 
jesties Subjects  here,  and  Satisfactory  to  your  self, 
whilest  you  follow  so  great  and  so  good  an  Example. 

We  have  no  Annimosities  with  one  another,  but 
firmly  agree  to  do  our  Selves  and  Country  Justice; 
and  perswade  our  selves,  none  that  deserve  publick 
Censure,  will  have  share  in  your  Excellency’s  esteem, 
but  that  we  shall  meet  with  a hearty  Concurrence  from 
you  in  all  those  measure  that  conduce  to  our  Peace 
and  Satisfaction. 

We  shall  contribute  to  the  Support  of  her  Majestys 
Government  to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities,  and  most 
willingly  so  at  a time  when  [we]  are  free’d  from  Bond- 
age and  arbitrary  Incroachments;  and  are  very  much 
satisfied  that  Vice  and  Immorality  will  meet  with  a 
different  Treatment  from  what  it  did,  and  not  receive 
the  publick  Countenance  and  Approbation. 

We  do  assure  your  Excellency,  all  your  reasonable 
Desires  shall  be  Commands  to  us,  and  that  we  will 
study  to  make  your  Excellency’s  administration  as 
easie  and  happy  as  we  can  to  your  Excellency  and  our 
selves. 

March  8,  1709, 

Several  Members  of  this  House  being  of  the  People 
called  Quakers  do  approve  of  the  matter  and  substance 
above-written,  but  make  some  exceptions  as  to  the 
stile. 


364 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 


House  of  Representatives,  March  9,  1709. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency; 

This  House  being  credibly  informed,  that  an  address 
was  sent  to  her  Majesty  by  the  Lieut.  Governour  and 
Council,  in  the  year  1707,  a Copy  of  which  this  House 
has  hitherto,  in  vain,  endeavoured  to  obtain,  This 
House  therefore  humbly  prays,  That  your  Excellency 
would  be  pleased  to  take  such  measures  as  your  Excel- 
lency shall  think  fit,  that  a Copy  of  said  address  may 
be  laid  before  the  House. 


[The  address  asked  for  in  the  preceding  message.] 

To  the  Queens  Most  Excellent  Majesty. 

The  Humble  Address  of  the  Lieut.  Governour  and 
Council  of  Nova  Caesarea  or  New  Jersey  in  America. 

May  it  please  your  Majesty, 

We,  the  Lieut.  Governour  and  Council  of  Your  Maj- 
estys  Province  of  Nova  Caesarea  or  New- Jersey  having 
seriously  and  deliberately  taken  into  our  Consideration 
the  Procedings  of  the  Present  assembly  or  Represent- 
ative Body  of  this  Province,  thought  our  selves  bound, 
both  in  Duty  and  Conscience,  to  testifie  to  your  Majesty 
our  Dislike  and  Aborrence  of  the  same,  being  very  sen- 
sible, that  the  unaccountable  Humours  and  pernicious 
Designs  of  some  particular  men  have  put  them  upon 
so  many  Irregularities,  with  intention  to  occasion  only 
Diversions  and  Distractions,  to  the  disturbance  of  the 
great  and  weighty  affairs  which  both  your  Majesty’s 
Honour  and  Dignity,  as  well  as  the  Peace  and  Welfare 
of  the  Country  required.  Their  high  Incroachments 
upon  your  Majesty’s  Prerogative  Royal,  Notorious  Vio- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  365 

lations  of  the  Bights  and  Liberties  of  the  Subjects, 
manifest  Interruptions  of  Justice,  and  most  unman- 
nerly Treatment  of  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Cornbury, 
would  have  induced  us  sooner  to  have  discharged  our 
Duty  to  your  Majesty,  in  giving  a full  Kepresentation 
of  the  unhappy  Circumstances  of  this  Your  Majesty’s 
Province  and  Government  had  we  not  been  in  hopes 
that  his  Excellency  the  Lord  Cornbury ’s  full  and  am- 
ple answer  to  a most  scandalous  Libel,  called  The  Re- 
monstrance of  the  Assembly  of  Nova  Caesarea  or  New- 
Jersey,  which  was  delivered  to  the  Governour  by  the 
assembly  at  Burlington  in  May  last,  would  have  opened 
the  Eyes  of  the  assembly,  and  brought  them  back  to 
their  Reason  and  Duty;  but  finding  that  those  few  tur- 
bulent and  uneasy  Spirits  in  that  Assembly  have  still 
been  able  to  influence  and  amuse  the  Judgment  of 
many  well  meaning  men  in  that  Body,  as  appears  by 
another  late  Scandalous  and  infamous  Libil,  called, 
The  Reply  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Province  of  New- Jersey,  to  an  answer  made  by  his 
Excellency  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  Governour  of 
the  said  Province,  to  the  humble  Remonstrance  of  the 
aforesaid  House.  We  are  now  obliged  humbly  to  Re- 
present to  your  Majesty  the  true  Cause,  and  what  we 
conceive  may  be  the  Remedy  of  these  confusions. 

The  first  is  wholly  owing  to  the  Turbulent,  Factious, 
Uneasy  and  Dis-loyal  Principles  of  two  Men  in  that 
assembly,  M-  Lewis  Morris,  and  Samuel  Jenings  a 
Quaker;  Men  notoriously  known  to  be  uneasie  under 
all  Government:  Men  never  known  to  be  consistent 
with  themselves;  Men  to  whom  all  the  Factions  and 
Confusions  in  the  Governments  of  New- Jersey  and 
Pennsil vania  for  many  Years  are  wholly  owing:  Men 
that  have  had  the  Confidence  to  declare  in  open  Coun- 
cil, That  your  Majesties  Instructions  to  your  Gover- 
nours  in  these  Provinces  shall  not  oblige  or  bind  them, 
nor  will  they  be  concluded  by  them,  further  than  they 


366  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

are  warranted  by  Law;  of  which  also  they  will  be  the 
Judges;  and  this  is  done  by  them,  (as  we  have  all  the 
reason  in  the  world  to  believe)  to  encourage  not  only 
this  Government,  but  also  the  rest  of  your  Govern- 
ments in  America  to  throw  off  your  Majesties  Royal 
Prerogative,  and  consequently  to  involve  all  your 
Dominions  in  this  part  of  the  World,  and  the  honest 
good  and  well  meaning  People  in  them,  in  Confusion, 
hoping  thereby  to  obtain  their  wicked  Purposes. 

The  remedy  for  all  these  Evils,  we  most  humbly  pro- 
pose, is,  That  your  Majesty  will  most  graciously  please 
to  Discountenance  those  wicked  designing  Men,  and 
shew  some  Dislike  of  this  assembly’s  Proceedings, 
who  are  resolved  neither  to  Support  this  your  Ma- 
jesty’s Government  by  a Revenue,  nor  take  to  Defend 
it  by  settling  a Militia. 

This  last  Libil,  called,  the  Reply,  &c.  came  out  so 
suddenly,  that  as  yet  we  have  not  had  time  to  answer 
it  in  all  its  Particulars,  but  do  assure  your  Majesty, 
That  it  is  for  the  most  part  false  in  Fact;  and  that  part 
of  it  which  carries  any  face  of  Truth,  they  have  been 
malitious  and  unjust  in  not  mentioning  the  whole 
Truth,  which  would  have  fully  justified  my  Lord 
Cornbury’s  just  Conduct. 

Thus  having  discharged  this  part  of  our  Duty,  which 
we  thought  at  present  Incumbent  upon  us,  we  beg 
leave  to  assure  your  Majesty,  That  when-ever  we  shall 
see  the  People  of  this  Province  labour  under  any  thing 
like  a Grievance,  we  shall,  according  to  our  Duty,  imme- 
diately apply  to  the  Governour  with  our  best  advice,  for 
the  redress  of  it;  and  we  have  no  reason  yet  to  doubt 
of  a ready  Compliance  in  him.  We  shall  not  be  par- 
ticular in,  but  crave  leave  to  refer  to  his  Excellency’s 
Representation  of  them  to  the  Right  honourable  the 
Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations. 

The  strenuous  asserting  of  your  Majesty’s  Preroga- 
tive Royal,  and  vindicating  of  the  Honour  of  your 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  367 

Governor,  the  Lord  Cornbury,  will,  in  our  humble 
Opinion  be  so  absolutely  necessary  at  this  juncture, 
that  without  your  so  doing,  your  Majesty  will  find 
your  self  deceived  either  in  expectation  of  a Revenue 
for  Support  of  the  Government,  or  Militia  for  its  De- 
fence. 

In  hopes  your  Majesty  will  take  these  important 
things  into  your  Consideration,  and  his  Excellency  the 
Lord  Cornbury  with  all  the  Members  of  your  Majes- 
ty’s Council,  into  your  Royal  Favour  and  Protection, 
We  shall  conclude  with  our  most  fervent  Prayers  to 
the  most  High  to  lengthen  Your  Days  and  increase 
your  Glories;  and  that  our  Selves  in  particular,  and 
all  others  in  general  who  reap  the  benefit  of  your  Ma- 
jesties most  gentle  and  happy  Government,  may  be, 
and  ever  continue  the  most  Loyal  and  Dutiful  of  Sub- 
jects to  the  most  Glorious  and  best  of  Queens. 

Robt.  Quarry,  Thomas  Revell,  Rich.  Ingoldesby, 
Daniel  Leeds,  William  Pinhorne, 
William  Sandford,  Daniel  Cox,  R.  Mompesson, 
Richard  Townley. 


House  of  Representatives,  March  14,1708  [1708-9] 

May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

This  House  renders  their  humble  and  hearty  Thanks 
to  your  Lordship  for  favouring  us  with  a Copy  of  that 
Paper,  called,  The  Address  of  the  Lieut  Governour 
and  Council  of  New-Jersey,  to  her  Majesty,  which  we 
conceive  rather  to  be  an  Impeachment,  and  lays  the 
House  under  a necessity  humbly  to  address  your  Ex- 
cellency, That  you  will  be  pleased  to  desire  the  Lieut. 
Governour,  and  all  those  Gentlemen  that  signed  the 
said  Address,  to  attend  your  Excellency  at  such  time 


368 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 


as  you  Think  fit  to  appoint,  to  prove  their  Allegations 
contain’d  in  said  Address,  and  that  this  House  may 
have  leave  to  be  present,  that  Her  Majesties  dutiful 
Subjects  of  this  province  may  have  an  opportunity  of 
making  their  just  Defence  to  clear  themselves  from 
such  Imputations. 


To  his  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Capt. 
General  & Governor  in  Chief  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New- Jersey,  &c. 

The  Humble  Address  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  New- Jersey. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency; 

We  have  now  a considerable  time  waited  in  expec- 
tation that  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  would  have 
laid  before  your  Excellency  something  in  Justification 
of  the  Address  they  sent  to  the  Queen;  it  is  what  (if 
they  have  any  value  for  their  Reputations)  they  are 
obliged  to  doe;  but  their  Neglect  of  it,  after  the  time 
set  them,  looks  as  if  they  Studied  to  avoid  coming  to 
the  Test. 

We  cannot  suppose  them  unprovided,  having  (as 
they  say)  seriously  and  deliberately  taken  into  Consid- 
eration what  they  thought  themselves  bound  in  Con- 
science and  duty,  to  testifie  their  dislike  of,  to  her 
Majesty;  and  having  now  had  so  long  time  to  collect 
what  Proofs  they  are  able,  which  if  they  decline  to  do, 
we  hope  your  Excellency  will  take  it  for  granted,  that 
what  they  have  writ  is  not  true,  but  that  the  Con- 
sciousness of  their  own  Guilt,  makes  them  shun  that 
tryal,  which  is  so  necessary  to  enable  your  Excellency 
to  set  the  Differences  between  us,  in  a true  light, 
before  her  Majesty. 

We  have  drawn  out  the  several  Articles  in  that 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION"  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


369 


Address,  which  amount  to  about  sixteen;  and  what- 
ever pretences  they  may  make  to  Temper  and  good 
Manners  we  presume  they  won’t  offer  this  Address  as 
an  Instance  of  either;  if  they  do,  we  must  confess  our 
selves  so  unfortunate  as  to  entertain  different  senti- 
ments of  it;  but  of  that  enough;  the  Articles  are, 

“I.  That  they  had  Seriously  and  Deliberately  taken 
“into  Consideration  the  Proceedings  of  the  present 
“ Assembly,  or  Representative  Body  of  this  Province, 
“and  that  they  were  in  Duty  and  Conscience  bound  to 
4 4 testifie  their  dislike  and  abhorrance  of  the  same  to  the 
44  Queen. 

II.  “ That  the  unaccountable  Humours  and  perni- 
44  tious  Designs  of  some  perticular  men  have  put  them 
4 4 upon  so  many  Irregularities,  with  Intention  only  to 
4 4 occasion  Divertions  and  Distractions,  to  the  Disturb- 
4 4 ance  of  the  great  and  weighty  Affairs  which  her 
44  Majesties  Honour  and  Dignity,  and  the  Peace  and 
“ Wellfare  of  the  Country  required. 

III.  44  That  we  had  highly  incroach’t  upon  her 
44  Majesties  Prerogative  Royal. 

IV.  “ That  we  had  notoriously  violated  the  rights 
“and  Liberties  of  the  Subjects. 

V.  44  That  we  had  manifestly  interrupted  Justice. 

VI.  4 4 That  the  Remonstrance  was  a most  Scandal - 
44  ous  Libel. 

VII.  ‘ 4 That  the  Lord  Cornbury  made  a full  and 
44  ample  answer  to  it. 

VIII.  44  That  the  reply  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
44  tives  of  the  Province  of  New- Jersey  was  a scandalous 
44  and  Infamous  Libel. 

IX.  44  That  these  disturbances  are  owing  wholly  to 
44  Lewis  Morris  and  Samuel  Jennings,  Men  of  turbu- 
lent, factious,  uneasy  and  disloyal  Principles;  Men 
4 4 notoriously  known  to  be  uneasy  under  all  Govern- 
“ment,  and  Men  never  known  to  he  consistent  with 
44  themselves. 

24 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


870 


[1709 


X.  “ That  to  those  Men  are  owing  all  the  Factions 
“ and  Confusions  in  the  Governments  of  New- Jersey 
‘ ‘ and  Pennsilvania. 

XI.  “ That  this  is  done  with  design  to  throw  off  the 
“ Queens  Prerogative  Royal  and  consequently  to 
“involve  all  her  Majesties  Dominions  in  this  part  of 
* ‘ of  the  world,  and  the  honest,  good  and  well  meaning 
“ men  in  them,  in  Confusion,  hoping  thereby  to  obtain 
‘‘their  wicked  purposes. 

XII.  “ That  the  Assembly  are  Resolved  neither  to 
‘ ‘ Support  the  Queens  Government  with  a Revenue, 

4 ‘ nor  Defend  it  by  settling  a Militia. 

XIII.  “That  the  Reply  (which  they  again  call  a 
“ Libel,  ) came  out  so  suddenly,  that  they  had  not  time 
“ to  answer  it  in  all  its  particulars. 

XIV.  “They  assure  her  Majesty,  ’tis  for  the  most 
“ part  false  in  fact. 

XV.  “ That  where  it  has  any  face  of  Truth,  we  have 
“ been  Malicious  and  unjust  in  not  mentioning  the 
“ whole  Truth. 

XVI.  “That  when-ever  the  People  labour’d  under 
“any  Grievance,  they  would,  according  to  their  Duty, 

‘ ‘ apply  to  the  Governour  with  their  best  advice. 

Your  Excellency  must  needs  think,  here  are  but  too 
many  Temptations  to  Resentment,  and  would  justifie 
our  Treatment  of  the  Authors  with  a Suitable 
Warmth,  to  find  this  House  accused  so  unjustly,  and 
with  so  peculiar  a Virulence,  cannot  be  very  grateful 
to  us.  But  when  we  consider  that  the  whole  design  of 
this  Address  was  an  endeavour  to  render  Assemblies 
altogether  Useless,  to  lodge  the  whole  Legislature  in 
Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  and  a few  unhappy  Men 
(for  so  we  must  call  them)  who  were  fond  of  being  the 
Ministers  of  his  Arbitrary  Pleasure.  And  to  obtain 
this  end,  no  less  an  Accusation  was  used,  than  that 
we  designed  to  throw  off  her  Majestys  Prerogative 
Royal.  Its  not  unreasonable  to  suppose:  that  those 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  371 

who  used  the  thing  beyond  its  largest  acceptation,  did 
not  use  the  word  in  its  most  restrained  sence;  We  say, 
its  no  wonder  that  at  such  an  Accusation  as  this  we 
appear  in  some  measure  concern’d,  and  tell  your  Ex- 
cellency. It  is  what  we  abhor  and  detest  from  the 
bottom  of  our  hearts;  That  we  think  our  selves  happy 
under  her  Majesties  Government;  and  hope,  we  have 
given  you  Demonstration  that  what  we  say  is  true. 
No  Resentment  that  we  might  justly  have  to  the  Lieut. 
Governour  has  hindered  us  from  paying  an  Honour  to 
the  Queens  Commission,  by  giving  him  Two  hundred 
Pounds  for  this  year;  tho’  we  take  leave  to  inform 
your  Excellency,  ’tis  not  his  own  Merits,  nor  any  hopes 
we  have  of  his  future  Conduct  that  induces  us  to  it, 
but  purely  in  honour  to  the  Commission  (as  we  said 
before)  Nay,  more,  it  is  an  Office  to  us  altogether  use- 
less, and  a Charge  we  cannot  bear.  And  we  beg  leave 
further  to  inform  your  Excellency,  That  tho’  we  have 
given  one  hundred  Pounds,  for  a year,  to  a chief  Jus 
tice,  yet  we  never  did  intend,  that  either  Roger  Mom- 
pesson,  Esq;  or  any  of  the  Signers  of  that  Address, 
should  receive  any  benefit  by  that  Sallary  appointed 
for  the  Office  of  Chief  Justice,  but  pray,  That  your 
Excellency  would  be  pleased  to  remove  the  said  Roger 
Mompesson,  Esq:  from  the  said  office  of  Chief  Justice, 
we  having  too  great  reason  to  fear,  that  her  Majesties 
Subjects  cannot  be  safe  in  their  Properties,  so  long  as 
a Person  that  has  so  falsly  represented  her  Majesties 
good  Subjects  to  our  Gracious  Soveraign,  executes 
that  Office.  We  also  humbly  submit  it  to  your  Excel- 
lency’s Consideration  how  fit  it  will  be  for  her  Majes- 
ty’s Service  and  Peace  and  Welfare  of  this  Province,  to 
continue  any  of  the  Signers  of  the  above-mentioned 
Mis-representation  to  her  Majesty,  in  her  Council,  or 
any  other  office  of  Trust  or  Profit  in  this  Govern- 
ment. 

We  conclude  by  acquainting  your  Excellency,  That 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


37* 


[1709 


we  have  addrest  her  Majesty,  and  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend it  to  your  Excellency’s  care,  and  hope  that  you 
may  always,  as  you  do  now,  give  us  reason  to  pray 
for  your  Health  and  long  continuance  among  us. 

March  31  1709  By  Order  of  the  House, 

Thomas  Gordon,  Speaker. 

Several  Members  of  this  House  being  of  the  People 
called  Quakers,  do  approve  of  the  matter  and  substance 
above  written,  but  make  some  exceptions  as  to  the 
stile. 


To  his  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Baron 
of  Hurley  &c. 

The  Humble  address  of  the  Lieut-Gover- 
nour  &c. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency ; 

Your  Excellency  having  been  pleased  to  communi- 
cate to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  an  address  from 
the  present  House  of  Representatives,  in  relatin  to  a 
Paper,  called.  The  Copy  of  an  address  signed  by  the 
Lieut-Governor  and  Council  of  New  Jersey,  to  her 
Majesty.  We  desired  time  till  the  rest  of  the  Gentle- 
men, who  are  charged  with  signing  this  Address,  can 
have  time  to  appear  to  give  answer  to  your  Excellency; 
whereupon  the  Clerk  of  the  Council  was  ordered  to 
write  to  the  several  Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  to  at- 
tend in  their  respective  Stations  in  eight  Days;  which 
time  being  expired.  We  whose  names  are  here  asserted 
in  the  Copy  as  having  Signed  thereto,  altho’  we  believe 
there  are  some  Mistakes  in  transcribing,  and  tho’  some 
of  the  Gentlemen,  said  to  have  signed  the  same,  are 
not  here,  yet  we  in  behalf  of  our  Selves,  with  all  Hu- 
mility and  Submission,  presume  to  offer  this  as  our 
answer: 

That  in  the  Station  her  Majesty  hath  been  pleased  to 
place  us.  We  have  endeavoured  to  discharge  a Con- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  373 

science  in  the  faithful  Execution  of  our  Trust,  and  by 
the  Oaths  that  we  have  each  of  us  taken,  have  sworn. 
That  we  shall  not  know  or  hear  anything  that  may  be 
prejudicial  to  the  Common- wealth,  Peace  or  Quiet  of 
her  Majestys  Realm,  or  this  Province,  but  that  we 
shall,  with  all  diligence  Reveal  and  Declare  the  same 
to  her  Majesty,  See.  Whereupon  being  sensible  how 
prejudicial  the  Proceedings  of  some  certain  Persons 
were  to  her  Majesty’s  Interest,  and  the  Peace  and  quiet 
of  this  her  Majesty’s  Province,  we  thought  it  our  Duty 
to  represent  the  same  to  her  Majesty,  And  your  Excel- 
lency having  been  pleased  to  communicate  to  us  her 
Majestys  Commands,  signified  in  a Letter  from  my 
Lord  Sunderland,  That  upon  your  Excellency’s  arrival 
here  you  enquire  into  the  matter  of  Fact,  and  send  him 
an  account  thereof,  as  it  shall  appear  to  your  Excel- 
lency, that  he  may  lay  the  same  before  the  Queen.  In 
order  to  enable  your  Excellency  to  return  an  Answer 
thereto,  we  shall  produce  such  Proofs  and  Instances, . 
as,  we  presume,  will  justifie  us  in  her  Majesties 
Opinion,  for  the  Advice  we  have  thought  it  our  Duty 
to  offer;  but  the  same  being  a matter  that  will  neces- 
sarily take  up  some  time  in  getting  Copies  of  the 
Records  of  several  Counties,  and  taking  the  Evidences 
of  several  Witnesses,  disperst  at  great  distances  in  the 
Province,  must  crave  a convenient  time  to  be  allowed 
by  your  Excellency  for  our  so  doing. 

Rich.  Towxley,  Rich.  Ingoldesby, 

Rob.  Quarry,  William  Pinhorne. 

Daniel  Cox,  William  Saxdford, 


At  the  same  time  Mr.  Mompesson  delivered  his 
answer  in  the  words  following,  viz. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency ; 

The  address  being  tender’d  unto  me  as  an  act  of  the 
Lieut.  Governour  and  Council,  and  signed  by  all  the 
Gentlemen,  before  brought  unto  me  ; upon  considera. 


374  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

tion  of  the  Lord  Audley’s  case  mentioned  in  Hutton’s 
reports  where  the  Ld  Chief  Justice’s  Opinion  was  dif- 
ferent from  the  other  Judges,  yet  his  was  involved  in 
theirs,  and  reported  to  the  Lords  on  that  Tryal,  as  the 
Opinion  of  all  the  Judges:  On  the  Citation  of  that 
Case,  and  the  like,  the  House  of  Commons  were  of 
Opinion,  that  when  seven  Commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed to  inspect  into  the  forfeited  Estates  in  Ireland, 
when  four  had  sign’d  the  Report,  the  other  three 
ought  to  have  sign’d  it,  and  were  censur’d  for  not  sign- 
ing tho’  contrary  to  their  Opinions.  ’Tis  likewise 
taken  notice  of  in  the  Ld.  Strafford’s  Tryal,  fo.  231  & 
232.  That  the  usual  method  in  the  Privy  Council  of 
Ireland,  is,  That  if  an  Order  were  made  on  a Council 
day,  when  it  was  drawn  out  fair,  it  was  afterwards 
signed  by  the  other  of  the  Council,  tho’  absent  at  the 
time  when  making  the  Order,  or  altho’  they  gave  their 
dissent  to  it,  when  present  at  the  making.  The  meth- 
od likewise  at  New -York  has  been,  that  when  a refer- 
ence has  been  made  unto  three  of  Her  Majesty’s  Coun- 
cil there,  to  make  their  Report  thereon,  if  in  such 
case  two  have  been  of  One  Opinion,  and  the  third  of 
another,  yet  all  have  signed  the  Report,  and  it  has  been 
there  look’t  upon  as  regular,  & requisite  to  be  done. 
On  these  and  other  Considerations  of  the  like  nature, 
I signed  the  address  before- mentioned  without  examin- 
ing into  the  particulars  thereof. 

Roger  Mompesson. 


To  His  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Capt. 
General  & Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Jersey,  &c. 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Representatives  of 
her  Majestys  Province  of  N.  Jersey. 

May  it  please  Your  Excellency; 

Wa  the  Representatives  of  this  her  Majestys  Prov- 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


375 


1709] 


ince  of  New  Jersey  having  examined  into  the  truth  of 
several  Complaints  made  against  Peter  Sonmans,  Esq: 
one  of  her  Majestys  Council  for  this  Province,  do  find, 
that  the  said  Sonmans  has  illegally  used  the  Power  he 
is  cloathed  with,  to  the  great  hurt  of  several  of  her 
Majestys  Subjects,  and,  if  tolerated,  will  be  of  evil  ex- 
ample, and  render  their  Liberties  and  Properties  preca- 
rious, and  at  the  disposal  of  every  Magistrate,  who  will 
make  his  will,  and  not  the  Law,  the  Rule  of  his  Actions. 

We  are  heartily  sorry  that  that  Gentleman,  who  has 
the  honour  be  of  her  Majesty’s  Council,  and  does  not 
want  sufficient  Abilities  for  her  Service,  should  by  his 
imprudent  Conduct  lay  us  under  a necessity  of  so  pub- 
lick  a Complaint  against  him;  but  we  cannot  be  so 
much  wanting  to  the  Country  we  represent,  as  to  be 
silent  in  a case  that  so  justly  requires  our  Considera- 
tion, and  perswade  ourselves.  Your  Excellency  will 
not  protect  him  in  the  breach  of  the  Laws,  and  abuse 
of  her  Majesties  Subjects;  but  on  the  contrary,  think 
it  for  the  honor  of  the  Queen  to  punish  a Person  who 
uses  her  Authority  so  contrary  to  the  end  for  which  it 
was  confer’d  on  him.  Tho’  we  have  but  too  much 
reason  to  believe  those  Arbitrary  measures  with  which 
the  late  Administration  under  the  Ld.  Cornbury,  so 
much  abounded,  were  very  much  owing  to  his  Coun- 
cils, he  being  one  of  the  Persons  on  whose  advice  his 
Lordship  very  much  reiv’d,  yet  we  shall  not  insist  on 
any  thing  that  may  look  like  Conjecture,  but  take  care 
to  inform  your  Excellency, 

That  in  the  first  place,  he  advised  and  procured  the 
arresting  of  Mr  John  Barela ry  on  Whitsunday  last, 
coming  out  of  the  Church  from  the  Sacrament,  which 
is  a manifest  breach  of  the  Peace,  and  contrary  to  the 
Laws  in  that  case  made  and  provided,  and  must  tend 
to  the  discouragement  of  Religion,  and  the  Publick 
worship  of  God,  if  Persons  can’t  be  secure  at  the  Altar 
in  the  most  Solemn  Acts  of  Worship. 


3?6  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

2dly,  He  took  from  one  John  Brown  his  Horse, 
without  assigning  him  any  Reason  for  it,  and  detains 
him  to  this  Day.  And  some  time  after  the  poor 
Man  had  commenced  an  Action  against  him,  to  re- 
cover, if  possible  his  Beast  unjustly  detain'd  from  him 
one  Reeves  complained  against  one  Mellin,  a Taylor 
(who  had  some  time  before  us'd  some  expressions 
against  some  of  Mr  Sonmans  Friends)  for  detaining  a 
Coat  of  the  said  Reeve's,  which  M-  Sonmans  was 
pleased  to  call  Fellony;  and  was  going  to  commit  the 
said  Mellin  for  Fellony,  tho’  Mellin  piwed,  and  Reeves 
afterward  contest,  that  Mellin  only  detain'd  the  Coat 
lie  had  made,  till  Reeves  should  pay  him  for  making 
of  it.  Mellin  finding  there  was  no  contending  against 
absolute  Power,  found  a way  to  escape  from  Sonmans 
and  was  set  over  to  Statten  Island  by  the  aforesaid 
Brown,  who  was  altogether  ignorant  of  what  had  hap- 
pen’d: upon  which  Sonmans  (to  gratifie  his  Resent- 
ment) contrary  to  Law  committed  the  said  Brown  to 
Goal;  and  when  the  Sheriff  had  admitted  him  to  Bail, 
Sonmans  used  many  threats  to  him  for  his  so  doing, 
ordering  him  to  take  him  back  again,  telling  him,  he 
would  throw  up  his  Commission,  and  go  to  York,  and 
desire  my  Lord  to  send  Soldiers  to  rule  them;  which 
Threat,  and  the  fear  of  being  govern’d  by  Martial 
Law,  induc’d  the  Sheriff  to  take  him  into  Custody 
again,  and  keep  him  in  Prison  till  My  Lord  Cornbury 
was  pleased  to  allow  he  might  be  admitted  to  Bail. 
This  Procedure,  as  it  was  most  unlawful  and  unjust, 
so  it  tended  not  only  to  render  her  Majesties  Subjects 
intirely  depending  on  my  Lord  Cornbury,  or  those  he 
thought  fit  to  honour  with  Magistracy,  but  to  create 
in  the  Minds  of  the  People  an  aversion  to  her  Majesty’s 
just  and  mild  Government,  when  by  a humor  a Gen- 
tleman of  the  Council  could  Dragoon  them  at  pleasure. 

3dly,  In  a Case  depending  between  the  Queen  and 
Mr  Harrison,  upon  Information  exhibited  by  the  Attor- 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


377 


ney  General,  he  the  said  Sonmans  endeavour’d  to  per- 
swade  the  Sheriff  to  pack  a Jury,  and  accordingly  gave 
him  a List  of  eleven  Men,  all  Dutch  Men,  and  prom- 
is'd to  bring  them  in  his  way,  that  he  might  be  at  little 
trouble,  had  this  been  after  the  Threat  of  Dragooning 
and  with  a man  of  less  vertue  than  the  present  Sheriff 
in  all  probability  it  had  taken  effect,  and  the  Gentle- 
man had  been  Ruin’d. 

fthly,  In  a Suit  depending  before  him  in  the  Court 
of  Pleas,  between  Mr  Michael  van  Veighty  and  Mr 
Alexander  Walker,  a Friend  of  Mr  Sonmans,  the  said 
Veighty  had  ordered  Ml.  Tho.  Gordon  to  take  out  a 
Writ  and  sign  it  with  his  the  said  Veighty ’s  Name, 
which  Veighty  acknowledged  in  open  Court,  and  offer- 
ed to  sign  it  himself;  notwithstanding,  he  the  said  Son - 
mans  did  not  only  not  admit  the  Action  to  be  Try’d 
but  taxed  a Bill  of  Cost  against  the  said  Veighty  for 
three  Pounds  seven  Shillings  and  Ten  Pence,  in  abate- 
ment, in  which  Case  no  Cost  ought  to  be  paid,  And 
that  the  Partiality  and  Injustice  of  M-  Sonmans  may 
appear  more  plainly  to  your  Lordship,  in  the  same 
Court  another  W rit  sign’d  in  the  same  manner  as  that 
was  met  with  no  objection  from  him  but  was  allow- 
ed of. 

5thly,  The  afore- mentioned  Alexander  Walker  after 
beating  and  cutting  his  Wife  in  a miserable  manner, 
threatened  to  wash  his  hands  in  the  Blood  of  his  Son- 
in-law,  and  on  Sunday  in  the  morning  attempted  it 
with  an  Ax,  and  had,  in  probability,  murdered  him,  had 
uot  the  suddain  coming  of  help  prevented  him,  upon 
which,  application  being  made  to  Mr  Sonmans,  to  bind 
the  said  Walker  to  the  Peace,  he  absolutely  refused  it, 
pretending  he  was  immediately  going  out  of  Town 
on  your  Lordships  Business,  tho’  he  staid  in  Town  part 
of  the  next  Day. 

6thly,  In  Contempt  of  the  Laws  in  that  Case  made 
and  provided,  he  openly  Cohabits  with  a Scandalous 


378  ADMINISTRATION'  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1700 

Woman,  has  had  one  Bastard  by  her;  This  is  to  the 
evil  Example  of  her  Majesties  Subjects,  in  so  publick 
a violation  of  the  Laws,  by  a Person  who  ought  to 
give  a good  Example,  and  punish  that  Crime  in 
others. 

Tthly,  He  stands  indicted  of  Perjury  and  Adultery, 
and  we  fear  the  Consciousness  of  other  Guilts,  prevail- 
ed upon  him,  after  an  unpresidented  manner,  to  hin- 
der the  Grand  Inquest  from  doing  their  Duty  at  the 
last  Court;  by  which  means,  several  Breaches  of  the 
Peace,  Riots  and  Misdemeanours  have  escap’t  that  no- 
tice which  should  be  taken  of  such  Crimes. 

8thly  and  lastly,  Whereas  her  Majesty  has  been 
graciously  pleased  to  admit  the  People  call’d  Quakers 
to  bear  and  share  in  the  several  Offices  of  this  Gov- 
ernment. M1'  Sonmans  has  turned  them  out  of  Juries, 
and  not  admitted  them  to  serve  in  those  Stations  in 
Courts  of  which  he  has  been  Judge;  This  is  endeavour- 
ing to  Defeather  Majesties  good  Intentions  to  her  Sub 
jects  of  that  Perswasion,  and  render  her  Government 
uneasie,  which  is  what  we  are  satisfied  She  in  no  means 
designs. 

Were  there  no  more  to  be  said  against  him  than  his 
being  indicted  for  Perjury  and  Adultery,  we  humbly 
conceive,  would  justifie  what  we  are  to  desire  of  your 
Lordship : A Person  of  that  Character  being  a Scandal 
to  her  Majesties  Council;  and  we  believe  your  Excel- 
lency will  think  it  a Reflection  on  the  Publick  Admin- 
istration to  continue  him  in  that  Station.  We  there- 
fore pray.  That  your  Excellency  would  remove  him 
from  your  Presence,  Her  Majesties  Council,  and  all 
Places  of  Trust  and  Profit  in  this  Province. 

By  Order  of  the  House, 

Thomas  Gordon,  Speaker. 


March  18.  1708. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


370 


1709] 


Mr  Sonmans  Address  to  his  Excellency  is  as 
followeth. 

May  it  please  Your  Excellency; 

Ever  since  your  Excellency  did  me  the  Favour  of 
letting  me  see  the  Address  of  the  Representatives  re- 
lating to  me,  I have  diligently  applyed  my  self  to  an- 
swer the  same;  but  having  been  obliged  to  attend  your 
Excellency  daily  in  Council,  and  the  Committees  of 
the  said  Council,  to  draw  and  Copy  every  thing  rela- 
ting to  the  said  Answer  my  self,  have  not  yet  had  suffi- 
cient time  to  perfect,  but  hope,  by  continual  Applica- 
tion to  finish  and  deliver  the  same  to  your  Excellency 
in  three  or  four  Days. 

Peter  Sonmans. 

April  1.  1709. 

House  of  Representatives,  March  22, 1708  [1708-9] 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency; 

The  Representatives  of  this  her  Majestys  Province 
of  New- Jersey,  have  endeavoured,  in  vain,  hitherto, 
to  bring  Peter  Fauconnier,  Esq;  Receiver  General  of 
the  last  Revenue,  to  account;  and  he  being  now  in  the 
Province  of  New- York,  under  your  Lordships  Admin- 
istration, obliges  us  Humbly  to  pray  your  Excellency 
to  command  the  said  Fauconnier  to  attend  this  House 
with  his  Accounts  and  vouchers  of  the  said  Revenue; 
which  if  he  neglect  or  refuse  to  do  speedily,  we  humbly 
desire  your  Lordship  will  be  pleased  to  order  his  Securi- 
ties Bonds  to  be  put  in  Suit. 

% 

House  of  Representatives,  April  2 1709. 

May  it  please  Your  Excellency; 

Though  this  House  has  an  Entire  Confidence  in  your 


380 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


Excellency’s  Justice  and  Prudence,  that  your  Excel- 
lency would  dispose  of  the  Money  raised  for  the  Sup- 
port of  the  Government,  to  the  Purposes  designed; 
yet  we  dare  not  say,  that  we  have  that  Confidence  in 
these  Gentlemen  that  are  now  of  her  Majesties  Coun- 
cil, which  is  the  reason  we  have  altered  the  former 
Method,  and  which  we  pray  your  Excellency  will  please 
favourably  to  represent  to  her  Majesty  in  our  behalf. 

By  Order  of  the  House, 

Thomas  Gordon,  Speaker. 


Address  of  Lends  Morris  to  Lord  Lovelace . 

(From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  76.] 

Address  of  Mf  Lewis  Morris  to  the  Lord  Love- 
lace to  which  is  annexed  some  Verses  upon 
his  addressing  alone.1 

To  His  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace  Baron  of 
Hurley,  Cap-  Generali  and  Governor  in  Chief  in  and 
over  Her  Majesties  Provinces  of  New  Jersey-New- York 
&ca  and  Vice  Admirall  of  the  Same. 

The  Humble  Address  of  Lewis  Morris  of  Her  Majesties 
Councill. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency 

I was  not  here  when  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Councill 
addrest  Your  Excellency,  and  am  glad  Providence  has 
given  me  the  Opportunity  of  appearing  alone  on  this 
Occasiou  to  congratulate  the  arrival  of  a Person  New- 
Jersey  has  So  much  with  impatience  expected,  to  put  a 
Period  to  an  Administration,  The  Representative  Body 
of  this  Country  justly  Stiles  the  worst  it  ever  knew. 


1 Referred  to  in  Mr:  Dockwras  Memll:  Reced:  2 November  1700. 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


381 


And  I doubt  not  your  Conduct  will  be  Serviceable  to 
Her  Majes*!6  and  pleasing  to  her  Subjects,  wherein 
those  rash  Methods,  which  caused  the  Infelicity  of  past 
times,  will  be  avoided,  and  a just  distinction  made  be- 
tween those  Persons  Avho  endeaAroured  to  make  the 
World  believe,  the  most  Arbitrary  Acts  were  an  assert- 
ing of  the  Queen’s  Prerogative  Royall  and  those  who 
are  equally  tender  of  Her  Majesties  Honour  and  the 
Safety  of  their  Country,  and  are  for  preserving  to  both 
their  undoubted  rights. 

I promise  to  my  Self  the  whole  course  of  Yo-  Admin- 
istration will  be  like  this  Temperate  beginning  which 
will  imbalm  Your  Memory,  and  procure  You  a Solid 
and  lasting  Fame  when  the  Strained  Encomiums  of 
Mercenary  Pens  will  only  prove  Satyrs  on  their 
Authors,  whose  hate  and  praise  is  equally  contemp- 
tible. 

My  Pooi'  endeavours  shall  never  be  wanting  to  con- 
tribute to  Your  Real  Service,  and  I ask  your  favour 
and  esteem  no  longer  than  while  I approve  my  Self  to 
be  what  I really  am 

Her  Majes^8  Loyall  Subject  and 
Yor  Excellci:efs  humble  & most 
faithful  Serv! 

Lewis  Morris. 


This  address  was  delivered  by  Mr  Morris  alone  on 
Saturday  evening,  which  made  a Poeticall  Spiritt,  rise 
in  some  Gentlemen  who  on  the  next  morning  made 
the  following  Verses  thereon  which  were  all  about  the 
Town  by  noon. 

The  First  Coppy. 

As  Kings  at  their  Meals  sitt  alone  at  a Table, 

Not  deigning  to  eat  with  the  Lord  or  the  Rabble ; 

So  the  Great-Lewis-Morris  presents  an  address, 

By  himself  all  alone,  not  one  else  of  the  mess, 


382  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

To  show  he’s  above  all  the  rest  of  the  Couneill, 

As  the  top  of  the  door  the  poor  humble  Groundsill ; 

Don’t  laugh  I beseech  You,  tho’  the  thing  is  uncommon 
And  never  was  practised  by  Greek  or  by  Roman, 

The  action  will  make  a (')Bright  Leaf  in  His-story 
And  highly  redound  to  the  (1 2)  President’s  glory. 

The  Second  Coppy. 

As  Jack-puddings  on  Stages  have  different  waies, 

From  the  rest  of  the  Actors  to  meritt  the  Bayes, 

So  Tail-Lewis-Morris  o’retops  all  the  rest 

And  by  playing  the  fool  Shows  his  Character  best; 

He  addresses  alone,  because  tis  his  Part 
To  differ  from  the  Couneill  in  Manner  and  Heart ; 

What  matter  though  it  never  was  heard  of  before, 

He  has  more  inconsistencies  still  in  his  Store. 

Which  makes  him  as  fit  for  (3)Dark-Room,  and  Clean  Straw 
As  any  Dull  (4)  Madman  that  ever  you  Saw. 

These  two  Setts  came  out  within  half  an  hour  the 
One  of  the  other  the  two  Authors  not  having  Spoke 
one  word,  the  one  to  the  other  about  it,  nor  did  one 
know  the  other  was  about  any  Such  thing.  These 
verses  being  in  every  bodies  mouth : Some  Commend- 
ing them  and  praising  the  Authors;  others  ridiculing 
them  as  very  Silly,  Dull  and  heavy,  and  perswading 
the  assembly  to  take  notice  of  it,  that  the  Authors 
ought  to  be  prosecuted  as  Libellers,  and  that  the  Gov- 
ernment ought  by  Proclamation,  or  Some  other  way 
to  forbid  and  discountenance  Such  things.  Most  agreed 
that  MV  Morris  ought  to  answer  them,  or  that  it  would 
be  a Reflection  upon  his  Witt  and  Poetry,  which  hav- 
ing been  told  him  in  Private  and  afterwards  Severall 


1 the  meaning  of  a Bright  Leaf  in  His-story;  was  to  ridicule  an  expression  in  the 
address  from  the  assembly  to  my  Lord  which  Mr.  Morris  perswaded  the  assembly 
to  put  in;  and  he  was  very  fond  of  it,  vizt. : Your  Majesties  reign  will  make  a Bright 
Leaf  in  History. 

2 the  President’s  Glory,  because  he  pretends  to  be,  and  calls  himself  President 

of  the  Couneill;  tho’  it  is  an  honour  given  by  Himself  to  Himself. 

The  3 Dark-room,  Clean  Straw,  and  4 Madman  need  no  explanac’on  to  Mr  Dock 
wra,  who  knows  the  Originall  of  that. 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


383 


times  before  my  Lord  at  his  Table  before  much  Com- 
pany, at  last,  after  about  three  Weeks  Stud}',  the  fol- 
lowing two  Setts  came  out  viz1 

The  first  Coppy. 

If  th’  addressers  are  angry  ’tis  by  no  means  unfit 

That  at  once  they  discharge  both  their  Spleen  and  their  witt. 

Since  the  Town  is  obliged  they’le  thank  ’em  no  less 
For  a Scurvy  Lampoon  than  a Fawning  address; 

They’re  both  helps  to  discourse,  and  though  never  so  mean 
The  world  can  discern  ’twixt  the  Witt  and  the  Spleen ; 

And  Honest  Will  Bradford  is  not  so  Morose 

But  he’ll  publish  their  Talents  in  Verse  and  in  Prose; 

That  the  Town  mayn’t  be  wanting  to  render  due  praise 
To  those  who  So  justly  meritts  the  Bayes. 

The  Second  Coppy. 

As  Ravens  and  Night-owls  their  Voices  betray. 

So  asses  are  certainly  known  when  they  bray. 

And  Spight  of  the  Noise  and  bustle  they’ve  made 
Mankind  will  believe  that  a Spade  is  a Spade. 

That  Bullies  and  Bankrupts,  and  men  without  Store 
Dull  wretches  that  have  not  one  Virtue  or  more, 

The  Pests  of  the  Country,  whose  Practise  has  been 
To  flatter  the  Governor,  and  Lie  to  the  Queen, 

Have  right  to  no  favour  in  a well-govem’d  State 
But  to  Swing  in  an  Halter,  or  peep  through  a Grate. 


This  abominable  Stuff  raised  a Poetick  Indignation 
in  the  Gentlemen  that  made  the  first  Verses,  vizi  [as 
Kings  at  their  Meals]  who  lasht  the  author  of  these 
two  Setts  in  the  following  Verses. 

Appolio  sat  upon  Parnassus  hill ; 

And  artfull  numbers  measur’d  at  his  will. 

Melodious  notes  had  vanquisht  all  his  cares, 

Distracted  Jealousies  and  endless  fears; 

He  thought  on  nothing  but  melodious  Verse, 

Which  Charming  Muses  did  by  turns  rehearse, 

The  Spheres  combin’d  to  sooth  his  Heavenly  Soul. 

Nature  Submitted  to  his  just  Controul. 


384 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


vizt 


But,  dire  misfortune ! when  behold  from  afar 
A large  black  Cloud  came  flying  through  the  Air : 
And  as  it  nearer  drew  in  view,  ’twas  plain 
It  bore  along  the  figure  of  a Man. 

A Generous  Anger  glow’d  within  his  Eyes 
And  from  his  breast  proceeded  deep-fetcht  Sighs ; 
Alas!  Great  God  he  cri’d,  what  have  I done 
Thus  to  be  punisht  with  so  harsh  a Doom ! 

That  Grubstreet  writers  should  pervert  my  Muse 
And  my  Strong  Fancy  wretchedly  abuse? 

Must  those  Dull  Mortals  Bunnian,  Saffold,  Case 
Insult  me  on  this  Scandalous  Disgrace  ? 

To  You,  Great  God,  I show  a Juster  Claim 
Revenge  my  Quarrel,  and  assert  my  Fame. 

The  God  Suprized,  demanded  who  he  was 
And  bid  him  tell  the  Meritts  of  his  Cause: 

He  answer’d  thufe — 

In  fam’d  Augusta’s  streets  I am  well  known 
My  M use  allow’d  the  Darling  of  the  Town : 

It  often  strikes  the  teuder  Virgin’s  heart, 

And  evr’y  line  wounds  deep  as  Cupid’s  dart : 

It  paints  the  Miser,  and  the  Spendthrift  Beau, 
Tea-table-Scandal,  and  the  Cuckolds  row 
Nature  it  Self  in  its  abtrusest  Part 
I search  into,  and  mend  it  by  my  art ; 

My  name  is  Garth,  known  in  Caesarea’s  plain. 
Though  distant  far  from  Europe’s  fertill  main 
These  Doggrell  Scriblers  whilest  from  me  they  glean 
Debauch  my  Witt,  to  gratify  their  Spleen. 

What  Nobler  thought  could  ever  Bard  produce. 

Or  charming  lines  flow  from  a Poet’s  Muse ! 

“ Asses  and  Owls  unseen  themselves  betray 
“ When  these  pretend  to  hoot  and  those  to  bray. 
There  is  the  thought ! and  those  the  well  penn’d  lines ! 
Which  into  wretched  Nonsence  thus  declines, 
j “As  Ravens  and  Nightowles  their  Voices  betray  ( 

( “ So  Asses  are  certainly  known  when  they  bray.  J 

Appollo  Started  at  the  Rumbling  Noise 
And  thus  He  spake,  and  thus  betray'd  his  Voice 

You  damn’d  dull  Mortals  nere  pretend  to  witt 
Nor  attempt  Poetry  in  Nature’s  Spight. 

Your  Rhiming  can’t  procure  my  Laughter 
Your  Brain  holds  Witt  just  as  a Sieve  holds  water 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  385 

If  er’e  you  think  of  Poetizing  more, 

Or  are  found  Nimming  in  Parnassus  Store, 

Your  Jaded  Fancy  like  a tired  horse 
Shall  ever  fail  you,  when  you  want  her  most. 

Pie  Shave  you  first,  then  write  on  Your  thick  Scull 
All  that’s  within  is  Ignorantly  dull. 

These  last  Verses  Morris,  nor  the  whole  Morrisanean 
Faction  either  could,  or  would  not  answer,  So  we  had 
no  more  versifying. 


Address  from  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  to  the 
Queen , referring  to  the  Address  of  the  Council 
complaining  of  the  Assembly. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  0.  82. | 

To  the  Queens  Most  Excellent  Majestie 
The  Humble  Address  of  the  Representatives  of 
Her  Majesties  Province  of  New  Jersey.1 

May  it  Please  Your  Majestie 
We  are  very  sorry  that  this  address  is  occasioned  by 
the  unhandsome  treatment  we  have  met  with  in  an 
address  made  to  Your  Majestie  by  y‘‘  Leiv'  (tovernour 
and  Council  of  your  Ma’ties  loyall  Subjects  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  ye  said  Province  are  accus’d  of  many 
great  & heinous  crimes  and  among  the  rest  of  a de- 
sign to  throw  off  your  Ma’ties  prerogative  Royall  & in- 
volve your  dominions  in  this  part  of  yL  world  & your 
good  Subjects  in  them  in  Confusion,  thereby  to  obtain 
their  wicked  purposes. 

We  think  our  Selves  under  ye  greatest  obligation  to 
your  Ma’tie  for  your  Justice  in  appointing  his  ExcelP 
John  Lord  Lovelace  to  enquire  into  ye  matters  of  fact 
alledged  in  that  address  & to  lay  them  before  your 
Ma’tie,  which  we  make  no  question  he  will  do  with 


1 Transmitted  by  Mr.  Cockeril  to  the  Earl  of  Stamford. 

2o 


386  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

much  truth  & Justice  & Set  y°  difference  between  yp 
Gentlemen  of  your  Ma’ties  Council  and  this  House  in 
its  true  light 

We  cannot  accuse  our  Selves  either  of  doing  or  de- 
signing any  thing  prejudiciall  to  your  Ma’ties  Service, 
& have  said  nothing  we  know  of  either  in  our  Be 
monstrance  or  our  Keply  to  yL‘  L ' Cornburys  answer  to 
our  Bemonstrance  but  what  was  true  & what  we  can 
make  out  by  unquestionable  proof,  having  us’d  all  ye 
caution  we  were  capable  of  to  inform  our  selves  in  ye 
Severall  matters  of  fact  there  related,  and  had  not  y° 
Addressers  given  too  much  way  to  ye  Besentments  of 
ye  Lord  Cornbury,  we  perswade  our  Selves  they  would 
not  have  appear’d  so  violent  in  yl  Justification  of  a 
person  whose  conduct  did  not  entitle  him  to  So  great  a 
Begard  as  they  have  paid  him. 

The  intemperate  language  they  treat  us  with,  as  it 
does  not  become  persons  in  their  stations,  so  we  could 
wish  they  had  forborn  that  unaccountable  heat  so 
prejudiciall  to  your  Ma’ties  Service  and  Joyn’d  with  us 
in  Such  measures  as  might  have  conduced  to  ye  pub- 
lick  good,  but  that  was  what  they  have  (by  this  ad- 
dress) fully  evinct  we  had  no  reason  to  expect  from 
them,  & we  have  but  too  much  reason  to  fear  they 
will  make  no  Scruple  of  Sacrificing  the  Publick  peace 
of  the  Province  to  their  private  resentments  whenever 
any  opportunity  is  given  them. 

We  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Ma’tie  that  this  Address 
of  the  Lieut  Governour  & Council  was  rejected  in  Pub- 
lick  Council  & is  no  act  of  Council,  but  sign’d  by  the 
said  Liev1  Governour  & the  rest  of  the  Addressors  at 
different  times  & in  different  places  being  carried  pri- 
vately about  for  that  end,  & what  is  worse  not  only 
without  that  Consideration  publick  procedures  of  that 
kind  required  but  by  many  of  them  as  we  have  reason 
to  believe  Avithout  so  much  as  reading  of  it  as  the 
Liev1  Governour  himself  has  acknowledged  he  did. 

We  believe  the  Safetie  and  welfare  of  your  Ma’ties 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  387 

Plantations  in  America  is  not  ye  meanest  part  of  your 
Royall  care  nor  of  ye  least  concern  to  ye  advantage  & 
flourishing  condition  of  your  Ma’ties  kingdom  of 
Great  Brittain  & that  the  Suggesting  to  your  Ma’tie 
that  all  or  any  of  them  are  inclin’d  to  throw  of  your 
prerogative  Royall  is  an  Endeavour  to  render  your 
Ma’ties  loyall  Subjects  in  the  Plantations  Suspected 
to  your  Ma’tie  & of  alienating  your  affections  from 
them  which  must  be  of  the  last  consequence  to  your 
Ma’ties  affairs. 

We  think  our  proceedings  can  not  Justly  be  charg’d 
with  the  consequences  they  deduce,  such  we  very  much 
abhorr  or  any  other  measures  that  looks  like  want  of 
duty,  affection,  or  loyalty  to  your  Ma’ties  Royal  person 
and  Government  and  hope  that  nothing  will  induce 
your  Ma’tie  to  believe  the  Contrary  either  of  us  or  of 
any  other  of  your  Plantations  in  America. 

We  cannot  tell  what  reason  these  Gentlemen  had  to 
tell  your  Ma’tie  that  you  would  be  disappointed  in  your 
expectations  of  a Revenue  if  some  dislike  of  the  As- 
semblys  proceedings  were  not  shewn  by  your  Ma’ties 
Government  was  voted  long  before  that  address  was 
made,  and  it  was  altogether  the  fault  of  ye  Lord  Corn- 
bury  & ye  Addressors  that  it  was  not  rais’d,  and  this 
house  is  so  far  from  making  their  Resentments  any 
obstruction  to  your  Ma’ties  Service  that  in  honour  to 
your  Majesties  Commission  they  have  given  Leiv*  Gov- 
ernour  two  hundred  pounds  for  one  year  though  he  is 
a person  that  has  least  deserved  it  of  them  & an  office 
no  ways  usefull  to  your  Ma’ties  Subjects  here,  and 
which  we  are  not  able  to  Support,  and  though  we  are 
one  of  the  poorest  of  your  Ma’ties  Provinces  in  these 
parts  have  paid  that  regard  to  that  office  which  New 
York  tho’  abundantly  better  able  has  not  done. 

When  his  Excell’  represents  the  matter  of  fact  to 
your  Ma’tie  we  doubt  not  you  will  perceive  how  much 
your  Ma’tie  & your  good  Subjects  here  have  been 
abused  by  y®  misrepresentations  of  ye  Addressors,  and 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


088 


how  unfit  those  men  are  who  have  so  grossly  endeav- 
our’d to  mislead  your  Ma’tie  to  be  of  your  Ma’ties  Coun- 
cil here  and  who  we  fear  will  create  differences  & 
animosities  among  your  loyall  Subjects  which  will 
wholly  obstruct  all  Endeavours  for  your  Service  or 
the  good  of  this  Province  we  humbly  Submit  to  your 
Majesties  consideration. 

We  heartily  pray  that  God  may  continue  your  Maj- 
esty a blessing  to  your  Subjects  and  a Scourge  to  your 
enemies,  give  Success  to  all  those  good  designs  in 
which  you  are  Engag’d  and  make  your  Ma’tie  as  happy 
as  possible  both  here  and  hereafter. 


Severall  of  the  Members  of  this  house  being  of  the 
people  Called  Quakers  do  Consent  to  the  matter  and 
Substance  above  written  but  make  some  Exceptions  to 
the  Stile 


March  ye:  31: 


By 

1709 


order  of  the  house 

Thomas  Gordon,  Speaker. 


Memorial  from  Peter  Fauconnier , Collector  and  Re- 
ceiver General  of  New  Jersey , to  Lord  Combury , 
recommending  the  adjustment  of  the  Line  between 
New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

iFrom  N.  Y.  Documents,  Secretary  of  State’s  Office,  Albany,  Vol.  I,  p 35. 1 

To  his  Excellency  Edward  Lord  Viscount  Corn- 
bury,  Cap?  Gen!  and  Govern:  in  Cheif  of  her 
Majesties  Provinces  of  New  Jersey,  and 
New  York  and  Vice-admiral  of  the  same, 
&c. 

The  humble  Memorial  of  Peter  Fauconnier, 

Collector  & Receiver  Gen!  of  New  Jersey. 

Sheweth 

That  vor  Excellencies  Memorialist,  thinks  himself  un- 


1709] 


ADMIXISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


389 


avoidably  obliged  by  the  duty  of  yL'  office  wdl  yor  Ex- 
cellency has  been  pleased  to  bestow  upon  him  in  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  to  apply  to  yor  Excellency  (as 
Govern1'  of  both  Provinces)  and  humbly  to  represent 
of  what  ill  consequence  it  is  to  said  Province  of  New 
Jersey,  in  the  assessment  and  recepts  of  ye  £2000 
Taxes  lately  laid  by  ye  Gen1  assembly  of  that  Province 
on  all  yc  Inhabitants  thereof  and  on  aco’t  of  another  act 
relating  to  yc  Militia  and  indeed  to  this  Province  of  New 
York  in  like  cases,  that  the  limits  and  true  bounds  of 
both  provinces  be  yett  undecided  so  that  the  Planters 
that  live  on  both  Frontiers  be  thereby  exposed  to  pay 
Taxes  to,  and  fined  for  not  mustering  in  both  prov- 
inces (wc.h  would  be  very  hard)  or  both  Provinces  de- 
prived of  wl  one  of  them  ought  in  justice  to  expect 
from  them,  for  their  proportion  of  Taxes  &c.  by  them 
due  to  y^province  they  rightly  belong  to,  if  a true  line 
was  runn  and  ascertained  between  both. 

For  yL  reddress  whereof  yor  Excellencies  Memorial- 
ist, most  humbly  prays  yor  Excell,  to  issue  out  warrants 
to  the  Surveyor  Generali  of  each  Province  to  go  forth- 
with (while  it  is  yet  time)  with  the  assistance  of  such 
other  Persons  yor  Excellency  shall  see  meet,  and  fully 
instructed  of  wifi  the  Patents  of  both  Provinces  con- 
tain, to  run  an  exact  line  between  both  so  y1  upon  a 
report  of  their  proceedings,  yor  Excell-  ascertaining  the 
true  bounds  of  both  yc  said  Provinces  the  Inhabitants 
thereof  may  be  exactly  known  and  all  disputs  & contro- 
versies on  that  acct.  intirelv  put  at  an  end  for  time  to 
come,  & yor  Memorialist  shall  ever  pray  &c. 

P.  Fauconnier. 

New  York,  ap!  2,  1709. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


:J9M 


Address  of  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Council  of  Nev 
Jersey  to  Lord  Lovelace , relating  to  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Assembly. 

(From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  G7. 

To  His  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace  Baron 
of  Hurley  Cap1  Gen1  and  Commander  in 
chief,  in  and  over  her  Majesties  Provinces 
of  New  York  New  Jersey  and  all  the  Terri- 
tories & Tracts  of  Land  depending  thereon 
and  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same  &c.  [Pre- 
sented to  said  Governour  in  April  1709 
Recd  in  London  Septembrl  709] 

My  Lord 

Whereas  your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  acquaint  us 
wth  an  order  from  Her  Majestie  communicated  by  a 
letter  of  my  Lord  Sunderlands  to  your  Excellency 
bearing  date  29  July  170S  in  these  words, 

Whitehall  July  29th  1708 

My  Lord 

I am  commanded  by  her  Majestie  to  send  yr  Lordship 
the  inclosed  coppy  of  an  address  from  the  Lieuten’ 
Govemr  and  Councill  of  New  Jersey  complaining  of  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Generali  Assembly  there,  and  to 
signifie  her  Majesties  Pleasure,  that  you  (upon  your 
arrival  there!  inquire  into  the  matter  of  fact,  and  send 
me  an  account  thereof  as  it  shall  appear  to  you.  that 
I may  lay  the  same  before  the  Queen. 

I am  my  Lord 

Your  Lordships  most  Obedient  humb. 

Serv* 

Sunderland. 

To  Lord  Lovelace 

Upon  sight  of  which  we  acquainted  your  Excellency 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


391 


that  we  should  take  first  opportunity  to  enable  you  to 
give  an  account  thereof  that  so  it  may  be  laid  before 
the  Queen.  But  to  our  great  Surprize , we  found  that 
if  Excellency  even  before  you  communicated  the  said 
letter  to  us,  had  delivered  a copy  of  our  address  unto  this 
Assembly,  who  thereupon  Spared  none  of  the  heats  of 
the  former,  and  could  have  no  patience  till  her  Majes1!69 
pleasure  was  Known  therein,  hut  (besides  a violent 
Prejudice  contracted  thereby  against  the  gentlemen  of 
her  Majesties  Councill  for  discharging  their  Duty  to 
the  Queen,  have  anticipated  her  Majest?  Judgement  on 
that  affair  and  have  contrary  to  all  moderation  and  the 
forms  of  Justice  Sentenced  and  condemned  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Councill  reviling  them  in  their  addresses 
and  have  left  us  in  greater  confusion  than  we  were  in 
before  the  Sessions  when  we  might  reasonably  expected 
some  Settlement  for  yc  future  and  Provision  made  for 
Payment  of  the  former  Debts  of  the  Government,  but 
find  not  the  least  Step  towards  either,  but  the  main 
Business  to  Insult  the  Councill  and  officers  of  the 
Government  and  make  encroachments  on  the  Preroga- 
tive of  the  Crown. 

My  Lord  tis  true  there  is  a money  bill  passd,But  whith- 
er it  will  bear  the  name  of  Revenue  or  be  anything  like 
a Settlement,  or  a Support  for  a Government,  or  rather 
whither  it  be  not  the  boldest  Stroke  at  the  Preroga- 
tive that  ever  was  made  in  America,  and  whither  it 
will  not  be  an  Example  to  the  rest  of  her  Majest1?9  Col- 
lonies  we  humbly  leave  to  her  Sacred  Majesties  Deter- 
mination. 

And  indeed  my  Lord,  we  think  it  impossible  under 
this  Establishment  for  the  officers  of  the  Govern  ml  to 
act  with  Honour  and  Justice  and  hold  their  places, 
which  are  now  become  Precarious  and  only  depend  up- 
on the  will  of  a Party,  So  that  if  a Chiefe  Justice  give 
JudgenV  with  the  greatest  reason  & warrant  of  Law 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


and  Equity,  yet  if  it  Effect  or  but  dislike  any  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  faction,  out  he  must  go,  or  starve 
the  next  year,  since  there  will  be  nothing  allowed  for 
his  Support,  the  same  by  the  Lieut.  Governr  nay  a 
Governour  himself,  if  he  dares  put  any  thing  of  the 
laws  in  practice  and  honours  not  the  world  in  their  in 
croachments  on  the  Prerogative,  and  their  licentious 
Riots  and  Innovations,  and  this  Justice  we  do  not 
doubt  from  Your  Excellency  to  remember  that  we 
each  man  of  us  Shewed  our  particular  dislike  to  the 
Said  Bill  and  largely  offord  our  reasons  ags1  it  and  as- 
sented to  the  passing  the  same  from  bare  necessity, 
not  thinking  it  prudence  the  Assembly  who  had  lev- 
elled at  us  in  their  addresses  & over  ran  us  here  like  a 
Torrent,  The  advantage  over  us.  to  say,  They  had 
raised  a Revenue  for  the  Support  of  Governin'  and  the 
Councill  threw  it  out,  since  hitherto  they  have  not 
been  able  to  make  a single  chardge  against  the  Coun- 
cill, other  then  that  they  are  guilty  of  Addressing  her 
Majestie,  whose  Roy1  Judgement  thereon  we  h umbly  Pre- 
sume is  the  only  Tribunall  we  are  liable  to,  and  shall 
with  all  duty  and  humility  receive  the  same,  whether 
it  contain  a censure  or  a justification. 

These  things  we  thought  fitt  to  Intimate  to  vr  Excel- 
lency & shall  proceed  to  obey  her  Majest*  commands 
in  laying  the  matter  of  fact  in  relation  to  our  Address 
before  yr  Excellency  that  the  same  be  laid  before  her 
Majestie. 

But  must  first  begg  leave  to  touch  upon  such  a piece 
of  Injustice  in  the  first  Assembly,  which  gave  the  first 
heart  burning  and  was  the  originall  of  our  present  Con- 
fusions, that  it  may  be  was  never  paralelld  in  any 
age. 

The  matter  was  chiefly  the  Projection  of  Mr  Lewis 
Morris , Doctor  John  Johnston  and  M'.  George  1177- 
locks , who  having  obtained  a Sheriff  for  then*  Turn 


ADMINISTRATION  OK  LORD  LOVELACE. 


1709] 


viz * Thomas  Gordon  our  Present  Speaker  of  the  As- 
sembly, who  then  Kept  a Taphouse  at  Amboy  to  be 
High  Sheriff  of  Middlesex — and  having  obtaind  the 
writts  for  choosing  Representatives  for  this  Eastern 
Division  to  be  directed  to  him  the  Said  Gordon,  whose 
necessity  rendered  him  so  much  their  Tool , That  they 
were  sure  to  have  whom  they  pleasd  returnd,  and  ac- 
cordingly when  the  writt  was  Published  and  about 
Thirty  Six  appeared  on  the  one  side  and  about  Three 
hundred  on  the  other,  who  alledge  that  they  demanded 
a Pole  and  were  refused  return  was  made  by  the  said 
sheriff  Gordon  in  favour  of  the  thirty-six. 

The  other  Party  enraged  with  this,  hardly  for- 
bore offering  Violence  to  the  Sheriff  and  his  Party, 
But  by  an  Extrodinary  temper  and  prudence  of  some 
leading  men  mischiefe  was  prevented  in  hopes  of  a 
redress  from  the  Justice  of  the  House. 

But  upon  Petitioning  ags-  the  said  Sheriff  for  the 
falseness  of  his  return  they  received  such  Injustice  as 
must  amaze  mankind  and  remain  an  Indelible  mark 
upon  a Representative  body  of  the  Jerseys,  For  after  a 
vote  past  the  House  on  the  131!1  Novemb1  1703  That  the 
Petitioners  have  leave  to  call  such  Evidence  as  they 
may  seem  meet  to  prove  their  allegations  in  their  said 
Petic’ons,  So  that  the  number  of  the  Evidences  do  not 
exceed  twenty,  and  a vote  Enterd,  of  16  Novr  1703 
viz1  Cap’  Jn  Brown  praying  leave  to  be  admitted,  de- 
sired the  House  to  grant  him  a Summons  for  three 
persons  (which  were  unwilling  otherwise  to  appear  as 
Evidence  for  him)  to  make  good  his  Allegations  in  his 
Petition  against  T.  Gordon  : Esq' 

Resolved  That  the  former  order  of  this  House  to 
Richard  Saltar  and  others  to  produce  such  Evidence  as 
they  shall  think  meet  to  prove  the  allegations  of  their 
Petition,  the  number  not  exceeding  Twenty,  was 
Sufficient,  and  the  House  does  not  think  fitt  to  grant 
any  other,  Yet  after  this  when  the  Complainants  at- 


394  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

tended  with  their  Twenty  Evidences,  to  prove  the  Al- 
legations of  their  Petition,  They  were  deny’d  produc- 
ing any  Evidence  or  being  heard  by  yr  Councill  and 
the  following  votes  of  the  18th  Novemb!’  past  in  these 
words. 

The  House  after  long  Debate,  whether  the  Evidence 
produced  by  Thomas  Gordon  Esqr  and  Examined  be- 
fore this  House  be  sufficient  and  no  further  Evidence 
be  allowed. 

A motion  being  made  and  the  Question  put,  That  the 
Evidence  which  was  produced  for  the  Regularity 
and  Legallity  of  the  Return  made  by  Tho:  Gordon 
Esq1'  for  Members  to  sitt  in  this  House  was  sufficient 
or  no,  and  it  past  in  the  Affirmative.  And  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day,  Resolved,  That  the  said 
Petition  of  Cap1  Jn?  Brown  and  others  be  dismist,  and 
the  said  Tito:  Gordon  was  then  a sitting  member  in 
the  House  being  returned  by  ye  Constable  of  Amboy 
for  that  Town,  being  in  the  County  of  Middlesex  for 
which  he  was  High  Sheriff. 

My  Lord,  we  have  been  the  larger  & more  particu- 
lar in  this  matter  because  it  has  been  the  rise  of  all 
our  disorders  and  that  we  thought  it  highly  necessary 
Her  Majesty  bee  fully  acquainted  with  the  circum- 
stances of  the  unhappy  Province,  and  of  the  Busie  de- 
signing men  that  have  run  us  into  these  Confusions, 
It  may  probably  seem  strange,  that  three  or  four  fac- 
tious men  Should  be  capable  of  Infatuating  mankind, 
and  misguiding  them  so  contrary  to  their  duty  & 
true  Interest;  But  when  by  Specious  & Popular  Pre- 
tences the  honest  well  meaning  men  have  a blind 
drawn  over  them;  and  the  Quakers  who  like  Sheep  all 
leape  after  the  Bell -weather,  If  the  leading  man  of  that 
Persuasion  goes  wrong,  and  they  the  Major  part  of 
the  House,  the  whole  may  easily  be  supposed  to  go 
Astray. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


395 


1709] 


May  it  Please  your  Excellency  there  is  yet  one  thing 
more  we  judge  highly  necessary  to  take  notice  of  viz* 

The  Dissatisfaction  of  this  Province  at  the  favour 
Shown  by  your  Excellency  to  a high  fiowne  Jacobite 
[Geo.  Willocks  ']  to  whom  we  attribute  part  of  our 
Present  Misfortunes:  the  Roars  of  the  Assembly  and 
the  Divisions  that  are  amongst  us.  He  being  a man  of 
a restless  and  uneasie  temper,  who  not  only  refuses  to 
take  the  oaths  prescribed  by  act  of  Parliament  him- 
self but  upbraides  other  Gentlem’L  nay  even  the  Mem- 
bers of  the  Councill  with  being  damned  for  taking 
them  and  at  the  same  time  is  trusted  with  a Dedimus 
Protestam  from  your  Excellency  to  swear  the  officers 
of  the  Governm*,  and  amongst  the  rest  a Quaker  High 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Burlington  although  he  lives 
within  fifty  paces  of  the  Lieut en1  Governour  rode  fifty 
miles  to  this  Non- Juror  to  take  the  Oaths. 

It  was  impossible  your  Excellency  being  a stranger 
could  have  any  Knowledge  of  men  but  by  recom’en- 
dation  but  it  must  be  allowed  to  remain  a just  reflec- 
tion upon  those  who  had  the  Impudence  to  recom’end 
him  for  that  End,  which  none  but  a man  in  love  wh  In- 
consistencies would  have  offered  at,  and  gives  just 
grounds  to  distrust  that  those  who  have  acted  so  pre- 
posterously will  stick  at  nothing  to  carry  on  their 
wicked  Designs. 

This  man  we  look  upon,  My  Lord,  as  a dangerous 
man  was  a Confederate  with  M'  Morris  in  the  former 
disorders  of  the  Province  and  Prosecuted  for  Publish- 
ing a Libell  against  the  Govern111*  in  my  Lord  Corn- 
burys  time,  and  is  still  under  Prosecution  for  the  same; 
an  active  and  malitious  Preferror  of  Indictments 
against  the  officers  of  the  Governm*  is  a man  always 
noted  for  a Peevish  and  Turbulent  Temper — by  name 
George  Willocks. 


1 For  notice  of  Mr.  Willocks,  See  Vol.  II.,  page  186. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORI)  LOVELACE. 


306 


[1709 


“ This  man  my  Lord  hath  had  too  great  an  Influ- 
‘ k ence  over  the  Assembly,  even  to  Scandall  hath  had 
“ a great  hand  in  directing  all  that  has  past  the  House. 
k ‘ By  Drawing  of  Bills  & tampering  with  yc  Members 
“ Insomuch  that  there  has  hardly  a Comitte  sat 
ik  without  him,  where  he  hath  undertaken  to  take 
1 * Examinations,  and  threaten  the  Parties  if  they  did 
k k not  make  answer  to  his  Questions,  This  man  is  now 
‘ ‘ busie  in  all  what  relates  to  Governing  in  the  highest 
“ degree  Industriously  crowding  himself  into  juries, 
“ and  by  a Bill  which  past  the  House,  but  was  rejected 
“ in  the  Councill  designed  a further  liberty  and  Privi- 
“ ledge  to  Non-Jurors  and  Quakers  then  the  laws  of 
“ our  Land  allow. 

These  things  my  Lord  we  thought  it  our  Duty  to 
premise  and  come  to  our  Answer,  and  cannot  but  take 
notice  of  their  first  step  in  Relation  to  the  Remon- 
strance of  the  Assembly  which  was  both  unusuall  & 
Inconvenient,  a Method  Scarce  becoming  honest  Peace- 
able men  who  sought  redress  of  grievances,  but  rather 
Prejudiced  Peevish  Persons  to  gratifie  their  Malice. 
For  the  House  of  Representatives  after  they  had 
searched  for  and  Resolved  what  were  the  Grievances 
of  the  Province,  Instead  of  first  Representing  them  to 
his  Excellency  & expecting  a Redress  at  home,  They 
apply  by  way  of  Petition  and  Complaint  to  the  Queen 
That  this  is  matter  of  fact  the  Votes  will  Justifie,  for 
the  Petic’on  to  the  Queen  the  Letter  to  Mr.  Secretary 
Harley  and  the  Order  to  the  Speaker  to  Sign  both  Pe- 
tition and  Letter  past  in  the  House  and  were  accord- 
ingly Complyed  with,  Some  Days  ere  his  Excellency 
receiv’d  the  Remonstrance  of  their  Grievances  or  had 
ever  denied  to  redress  them,  or  could  Imagine  any 
thing  of  that  matter.  Now  where  is  the  justice, 
where  is  the  Ingenuity  of  such  a Proceeding?  and  we 
doubt  not  but  her  sacred  Majesty  and  the  great  minis- 
ters of  the  State  will  hereby  perceive  their  noise  of 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


397 


grievances  to  be  of  no  other  use  then  to  gratifie  then’ 
malice  and  carry  on  their  Evill  Designes. 

This  together  with  the  Knowledge  that  we  had  that 
they  were  hudling  up  their  clamour  against  his  Excel- 
lency and  that  as  soon  as  they  could  get  the  Address 
to  the  Queen  and  the  Letter  to  M'  Harley  finished 
which  they  still  Keep  as  a Close  Secrett  and  have 
made  no  Entry  to  this  Day  on  the  Journall  of  the 
House  they  Resolved  to  adjourn  themselves , and  as  far 
as  we  could  apprehend  to  return  no  more,  under  a pre- 
tence of  being  Slighted  by  my  Lords  making  a short 
Voyage  down  Delaware  River  in  Obedience  to  her 
Majesties  com’ands  to  take  a view  of  the  River  adjoyn- 
ing  to  that  Government  while  they  were  Sitting. 

4 4 Those  unfair  and  unworthy  Proceedings  and  that 
44  most  audacious  pride  of  the  Speaker  in  the  Delivery 
4 4 of  the  Remonstrance,  by  often  stopping  and  staring 
44  my  Lord  in  the  face , in  Svch  an  Insulting  manner  as 
“was  odious  to  all  men  of  common  Modesty , and  more 
44  particularly  when  he  came  to  that  part  wherein  they 
44  word  it  highest  upon  his  Lordship;  where  he  made  a 
44  full  stop,  pull’d  off  his  hatt  laid  it  downe  upon  a chest 
44  of  Drawers,  returns  to  his  place,  sits  both  arms  a Kim- 
4 4 boll  with  his  thumbs  upon  his  Hipps,  and  in  that  pos- 
4 4 ture  stares  my  Lord  a considerable  time  in  the  face, 
44  then  deliberately  puts  on  his  spectacles  and  proceeds 
44  in  his  Triumph,  So  Odious  an  Insult,  so  Detestable  a 
4 k Pride  was  never  before  been  off  or ’d  to  the  Person  of  a 
44  Governour. 

This  with  the  ferment  the  Country  was  put  into  by 
open  railings,  and  a number  of  Seditious  Pamphletts  in- 
dustriously Spread  among  the  people  caused  us  with 
Just  reason  seriously  to  deliberate  upon  the  miseries  of 
this  Poor  Province,  and  finding  the  Assembly  instead  of 
Discouraging  the  disorders  we  labour’d  under,  making 
Resolves  in  the  House  for  the  encouragement  of  such 
as  the  Governin'  thought  fit  to  prosecute  by  a Due 


398 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


Course  of  Law  for  making  and  Publishing  the  said 
Seditious  Libells  as  appears  by  their  votes  of  fry-day 
the  31st  October  1707 

Their  Resolutions  of  not  raising  any  money  for  the 
Support  of  the  Governm?  nor  of  making  or  repairing 
jayles,  a work  of  so  absolute  a necessity.  But  finding 
them  so  throwly  Guided  & Driven  by  Mr  Morris  and 
Sam1  Jennings  whose  mischievous  tempers  this  poor 
Country  hath  for  many  years  past  groaned  under , 
we  thought  it  our  duty  in  Conscience  to  testifie  to  her 
Sacred  Majestie  our  dishke  and  abhorrence  of  the 
Same. 

The  Assembly  appointing  a Clerk  of  the  Com'itte  of 
the  whole  House  and  Excluding  the  Clerk  of  the  As- 
sembly commission'd  by  the  Crown , we  did  then  and 
must  Still  think  it  a high  Encroachnh  upon  her  Majes- 
ty Prerogative  Royall,  which  matter  of  fact  is  evident 
by  their  votes  of  Aprill  the  Eight  1707  Thomas  ff arm - 
ar  a Member  of  the  House  being  by  the  House  apointed 
Clerk  of  the  Convitte  of  the  whole  House  thereby  not 
only  encroaching  on  the  Prerogative  but  robbing  the 
Country  of  a Member  for  a Clerk  cannot  vote.  The 
Rude  and  Contemptible  treatment  of  the  Queen’s  In- 
structions by  Ml  Morris  Ml  Witlocks  d;  others  before 
the  Governor  and  Councill  of  w’ch  we  are  ah  witness- 
es, and  the  Assemblies  forming  two  articles  of  ye  7 
viz*  Then  Sixthly  and  Seaventhly  in  then  Remon- 
strance, with  that  heat  against  my  Lord  Cornbury 
barely  for  Obeying  her  Majesties  Instructions,  appear- 
ed to  us  to  be  a Diminution  of  the  Prerogative  Royall 
and  of  very  evill  consequence,  ffor  the  Besolucmons  cf* 
Instructions  of  Princes  are  the  fruit  of  great  wisdom 
and  Deliberation  and  ought  to  be  steadily  persued 
and  not  lightly  alter d,  much  less  contemned  and  de- 
spised by  the  subject  in  the  face  of  the  Government  it 
self  and  how  high  a valew  Mr  Morris  puts  upon  the 
directions  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  Your  Lordship  hath 


17091 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


399 


heard  in  part  by  what  he  offor’d  upon  the  Surrender 
of  the  Jerseys,  who  in  Contradiction  to  what  their 
Lordships  assert  in  their  Report  to  her  Majestie  of  ye 
25l.h  of  June  1702  as  to  the  Surrender,  that  it  was  ab- 
solute and  not  condition1  and  also  their  Directions  to 
my  Lord  Cornbury  on  that  matter  bearing  date  the 
fourth  of  ffebruary  1705  in  these  words,  viz1 

“We  must  likewise  observe  that  what  has  been  al- 
* * ledged  in  relation  to  the  Pretended  terms  of  Surren- 
4 4 der  of  that  Government  is  not  true ; we  did  Indeed 
4 4 consent  at  the  Proprietors  desire  to  add  some  clauses 
44  to  your  Lordships  Instructions,  but  that  was  no  con 
4 4 dition  of  the  Surrender,  and  therefore  we  think  your 
“Lordships  has  done  well  in  maintaing  the  Contrary. 

Not ivith standing  which  your  Lordship  hath  heard 
M?  Morris  affirm  the  Contrary , and  say  that  he  knows 
this  matter  better  than  their  Lordships;  and  whilst  the 
Gentlemen  are  so  tender  of  the  Honour  & Prerogative 
(as  they  call  it)  of  the  House,  for  that  very  term  [of 
Prerogative ] was  arrogated  in  the  House  by  Mr.  Gor- 
don Speaker  of  this  Assembly , in  the  very  Sessions ; 
and  made  use  of  to  deny  the  Members  their  Priviledge 
in  putting  a Question  though  Demanded  and  Seconded 
by  severall  Members  of  the  House  which  we  look  upon 
to  be  ivliolly  arbitrary  and  a notorious  violation  of 
the  Priviledges  of  the  Subject , and  whilst  they  that 
assume  to  themselves  the  Councill  is  treated  with  the 
utmost  contempt  Mr  Morris  himself  even  during  the 
Sessions  of  this  Pres*  Assembly  44  telling  a Gou-  of  the 
4 4 Councill,  That  he  knew  no  Priviledges  belonging  to 
k * them  as  Councellors,  That  the  Lords  at  home  had  but 
“two.  The  one,  that  they  might  not  sware,  and  the 
“other  that  they  might  not  be  arrested,  and  the  conse- 
quence was  that  no  body  would  trust  them  nor  no 
“body  would  believe  them,  These  words  were  spoke  gt 
Harrisons  before  a great  number  of  men. 

These  ways  did  then,  and  do  still  appear  to  us  to 


400  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

lead  to  the  lessening  her  Majesties  Honour  and  Dig- 
nity as  well  as  to  the  disturbance  of  the  Peace  and 
welfare  of  the  Country. 

Then  for  the  notorious  violations  of  the  right  and 
liberties  of  the  Subject  by  the  two  former  Assembly*?; 
For  the  first  in  Relation  to  the  Justifieing  the  then 
Sheriff  {now  Mr  Speaker)  Gordon's  return  as  is  al- 
ready set  forth  nothing  could  be  more  unjust,  noth- 
ing of  a more  pernitious  nature  to  rooting  up  and  de- 
stroying of  all  the  Priviledges  we  Boast  of  as  English- 
men; 

And  for  the  violation  of  the  Liberties  of  the  People, 
they  cannot  according  to  our  understandings  be  true 
or  more  clearly  exprest  then  in  the  words  of  my  Lord 
Cornbury  in  his  answer  to  their  Remonstrance  viz1 

“ You  have  presumed  to  take  the  Queens  Subjects  into 
“ the  Custody  of  your  Sergeant  at  Arms  who  are  not 
“ Members  of  your  House,  which  you  cannot  lawfully 
“do,  and  is  a notorious  violation  of  the  Liberties  of  the 
“People,  this  matter  of  fact  appears  in  the  votes  of  the 
‘ ‘ 20l.h  of  Aprill  & May  30th  1707 

“You  have  taken  upon  you  to  administer  an  oath  to 
“ one  of  your  Members,  and  have  expelled  him  the 

* ‘House  for  refusing  to  take  an  Oath  which  you  could 
“ not  legally  administer  to  him,  This  is  most  certainly 
“robbing  that  Member  of  his  Property;  and  a most  no- 
torious assuming  to  your  selves  a negative  voice  to 
“ the  freeholders  Election  of  their  Representatives  for 
“ which  there  can  be  no  President  found. 

“ This  matter  of  fact  appears  in  jthe  votes  of  Aprill 
“the 29^  1707  and  of  Aprill  30th  1707. 

“You  have  Arbitrary  taken  upon  you  to  Command  the 
“ High  Sheriff  of  this  County  todischardge  a Prisoner 
“who  was  in  his  custody  at  the  Suit  of  one  of  the 
“ Queens  Subjects  and  he  has  been  weake  enough  to  do 
“ it,  for  which  he  lies  liable  to  be  sued  for  an  Escape 

* ‘ whenever  the  gentlemen  thinks  fit  to  do  it,  and  from 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOYELACE. 


401 


‘ which  you  cannot  protect  him,  This  is  a notorious  vio- 
lation of  the  Rights  of  the  Subject,  and  a manifest 
“ interruption  of  Justice  This  matter  of  fact  appeares 
‘ ‘ in  the  votes  of  the  first  of  May  1707. 

To  add  to  these,  the  attempt  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives to  make  void  severall  Bonds  duly  Executed 
before  credible  witnesees,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  house  of  the  3d  of  May  1707,  many  of  the 
Persons  Indebted  on  the  said  Bonds  thought  they  were 
bound  by  the  laws  of  God  and  man  to  make  good  their 
Obligations  which  they  have  accordingly  comply ed 
with,  and  others  who  thought  the  vote  of  the  House 
would  anticipate  the  Verdict  of  a Jury  com’itting  their 
cause  to  the  Decision  of  the  Law  have  been  obliged, 
by  Judgement  to  pay  the  Same. 

And  on  the  30th  of  Aprill  the  same  Sessions  the  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Province  thought  fitt  to  expel! 
Cap-  Jn?  Brown  their  House,  the  tenth  of  May  follow- 
ing. Mr  Lawrence  moved  that  a writt  might  Issue 
out  for  the  choice  of  a Representative  to  serve  in  the 
County  of  Monmouth  in  the  Room  of  Cap1  John 
Brown  who  was  Expelled  the  House,  But  the  motion 
was  referred  to  a further  Consideration;  so  that  dur- 
ing the  sitting  of  that  Assembly  the  Proper  Methods 
were  never  used  to  fill  up  that  vacancy , as  is  evident 
by  the  minutes  of  the  House,  their  not  sending  for  one 
of  the  Members  chosen  to  serve  for  the  County  of 
Cape  May  who  never  appeared,  during  the  whole  Ses- 
sions, and  was  not  only  the  occasion  of  the  loss  of  a 
Member  to  that  County  but  likewise  to  the  whole 
Province. 

The  falseness  as  to  matter  of  fact  of  the  Chardges  in 
the  Remonstrances  are  already  taken  notice  of  in  my 
Lord  Cornburys  answer,  to  which  referr;  Those  that 
appear  so  to  us  in  the  reply  are  as  follows 
First  it  is  evidently  false  what  is  said  of  the  Hon- 
ourati  Collon1  Richard  Ingoldsby  the  Liveteri’t  Gou- 
'26 


402  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

erri-  that  he  was  so  far  from  doing  right  that  he  de- 
clined doing  any  act  of  GovernnT  at  all  & for  we  know 
he  hath  dischardged  the  duty  & trust  of  his  office  in 
executing  Acts  of  Governor  as  occasion  required  and 
the  Honour  Justice  and  Moderation  of  that  Gentleman 
and  other  officers  of  the  GovernnT  is  what  alone  is  the 
present  cause  of  their  ill  treatment,  and  as  matters  are 
circumstanced  an  equall  and  Impartiall  distribution 
of  Justice,  and  Steady  obedience  to  her  Majesties  Roy- 
all  & just  Commands  threaten  mine  to  all  who  have 
the  honour  to  bear  Commissions  under  her  Majesty  in 
the  Province. 

Her  Gratious  Majesty  is  not  intrusted  with  the  dis- 
tribution of  one  penny  ofmony  rais'd  in  the  Province 
no  Revenue  (or  any  thing  like  it)  for  the  Support  of 
Governm’t  nay  so  much  as  to  defray  the  chardge  of  an 
Express  in  sending  a message  from  one  part  of  the 
Province  to  the  other  or  giving  the  Indian  Sachems  a 
Pot  of  Syder  or  a Dram  of  Rum  as  occasion  may  re- 
quire at  the  calling  them  in  to  treat  with  them;  and 
there  is  at  this  present  owing  to  the  Secretary  for  Ex- 
presses and  other  contingencies  a considerable  sum  for 
in  near  six  years  he  has  been  in  the  office  he  has  only 
been  reimburst  for  the  Incident  chard ges  of  two  }^ears 
and  none  of  the  officers  of  the  Government  have  re- 
ceaved  one  penny  by  virtue  of  their  office  for  any 
longer  time  since  the  Governing  came  into  her  Majes- 
ty's Hands  then  for  two  years  and  unless  her  sacred 
Majesty5  Justice  Interpose  must  from  the  Infatuated 
humour  that  reigns  amongst  us  (so  contrary  to  the 
Honour  and  Safety  of  the  Crown  and  contrary  to  the 
common  Justice  and  reason  of  mankind)  never  ex- 
pect to  be  reimburst,  or  any  ways  considered  for  their 
Chardges  or  Expence  of  time  in  the  dischardge  of  their 
Duties. 

The  Queen  indeed  has  the  power  of  commissionating 
Governours  and  Judges  &c:i  but  we  are  taught  from 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  403 

the  Proceedings  of  this  Present  Assembly  and  the  for- 
mer, that  They  must  approve  of  the  men,  and  that 
them  places  are  wholly  Precarious  for  no  longer  then 
they  are  truckling  tools  to  the  ffaction  that  is  upper- 
most, shall  they  reap  one  farthing  advantage  from 
their  Com’issions,  for  tho’  they  can  fix  no  chardge  to 
remove  them,  or  have  power  to  Supersede  their  Com’is- 
sions, yet  they  have  an  approved  remedie  by  starving 
them  out , and  unless  we  must  run  into  an  Independent 
Com’on-  wealth  it  will  be  necessary  her  Sacred  Majestie 
exert  her  Authority  over  us  to  inform  us  that  we  are 
part  of  her  Majesties  Dominions  and  Dependant  upon 
the  Imperial!  Crown  of  Great  Brittain. 

The  Reply  it  self  says  that  two  h undred  Pounds  was 
given  by  Doctor  Johnson  to  serve  the  Proprietors , and 
a little  before  sales  that  money  was  raised  for  base  de- 
testable Ends , Such  as  no  man  who  had  a Spark  of 
Honour  Conscience  or  Honesty  would  have  admitted 
the  thought  of  being  only  fitt  for  a Second  Guido  Faux 
viz1 

The  Dissolution  of  the  Assembly  and  the  Procuring 
Such  officers  as  the  Contributors  should  approve  of. 
If  trae  every  one  must  allow  it  was  horrid  villainy  and 
most  Detestable  Knavery  in  the  officers,  and  if  they 
had  been  Gratified  therein  would  have  utterly  ruined 
this  Province  for  some  men  have  shown  the  world  by 
I he  Election  at  Amboy  already  mentioned  what  they 
could  do  if  they  had  Sheriffs  of  their  own;  and  they 
have  showed  at  a Court  of  Common  right  held  at 
Amboy  what  they  could  do  if  they  had  the  appoint- 
ing of  Judges  and  Clerks , where  the  Proceedings  were 
so  monstrous,  that  we  appeall  to  the  Conscience  of 
every  man  that  reads  them  whither  they  ever  heard 
the  like.  The  Case  was  thus: 

It  was  at  a Court  of  Common  Right  held  at  Amboy 
in  an  action  between  the  Proprietors  PF  and  Jeffery 
Jones  Del-  When  Thomas  Gordon  the  Present  Speaker 


404 


ADMIX  I STRATI  ON  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


was  Clerk  of  the  Court ; and  as  the  Jury  were  called 
over  Each  man  was  asked  by  him  whither  he  held 
under  the  Proprietors  or  Genr1  Nicholls  his  Patent  ? If 
lie  answered  under  Genr1  Nicholls  Patent,  he  was  bid 
go  to  the  left,  he  was  not  to  serve  on  that  Case;  If  he 
answered  under  the  Proprietors,  he  was  bid  lay  his 
hand  on  the  Book,  Under  which  Goodly  Method,  out 
of  twenty  four  summoned,  they  pickt  out  a Jury  of 
Twelve,  who  nevertheless  found  for  the  Defendant  and 
yet  notwithstanding  this.  The  Court  gave  JudgnJ  for 
the  PI-  which  Judgment  has  since  been  reversed  in 
England, 

Must  not  the  Ears  of  every  honest  man  tingle  that 
hears  it  and  ought  not  this  Poor  Province  have  a just 
fear  and  dread  of  men  who  have  behaved  themselves 
so  ill  ? and  are  unhinging  the  very  frame  of  Governm1 
and  are  now  crouding  into  Publick  Affaires  with  an  Im- 
pudence only  Peculiar  to  themselves. 

That  Twelve  Hundred  Pounds  was  offered  to  my 
Lord  Cornbury  in  behalf  of  some  Pretended  Pro- 
prietors to  perswade  his  Lordsh  ip  to  pass  a certain  long 
Bill  drawn  by  ML  Morris  and  the  busie  Non  Juror 
Willocks , His  Lordship  will  proove  when  required 
and  we  think  it  highly  to  redound  to  his  Honour  that 
he  rejected  the  offer  with  contempt;  and  his  Behaviour 
in  that  matter  we  can  also  witness  to  be  consistent 
with  Honour  Prudence  and  Justice,  by  taking  pains 
to  Informe  himself  by  Several!  Publick  hearings  with 
Council!  on  both  sides  what  might  be  alledged  for  or 
against  passing  the  Same,  by  sending  a Coppy  of  the 
Bill  to  the  Lords  of  the  Comittees  for  their  Directions 
in  a matter  of  so  great  Moment,  who  in  answer  thereto 
of  the  20  of  Aprill  1705  are  pleased  to  direct  in  these 
very  words. 

“We  agree  with  your  Lordship  That  the  Bill  to 
‘ ‘ settle  and  confirm  the  Estates  of  the  Proprietors  as 
“ you  have  transmitted  it  to  us,  was  unfit  to  be  Past , 


1709]  administration  of  lord  lovelace.  405 

‘‘your  Lordship  will  do  well  therefore  upon  all  Occa- 
sions to  Examine  Carefully  all  the  Bills  that  shall  be 
'‘presented  to  be  Past  into  Acts. 

And  on  the  other  hand  it  appears  by  my  Lord  Corn- 
bury  his  Speeches  at  the  opening  of  Every  Sessions, 
That  he  has  Recom’ended  it  to  the  Assembly  to  Pre- 
pare a Bill  or  Bills  to  Settle  the  Rights  of  the  Pro- 
prietors. So  that  it  must  appear  that  in  this  matter  he 
has  carried  it  wth  Equall  and  Indifferent  Justice,  and 
the  rage  of  his  Enemies  seems  only  because  He  would 
not  be  Bribed  to  Injustice. 

And  another  daring  Untruth  is  asserted  in  the  Reply 
when  they  say,  They  acted  as  became  an  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  the  affairs  of  Mr  Gordon  <Scc.  That 
whole  matter  viz1  Their  Proceeding  with  relation  to 
the  Election  at  Amboy  is  already  so  largely  spoke  to 
that  wee  would  say  no  more  but  admire  the  courage 
of  men  who  build  Trophies  upon  such  absurd  and  such 
apparent  falsities 

The  rude  and  unmannerly  treatment  of  the  then 
Governour  my  Lord  Cornbury  both  in  Remonstrance 
and  Reply  is  such  as  we  presume  no  age  can  parallel, 
such  Conceited  Oratory  Crooked  Illustrations  and  ever 
strained  flourishes  to  make  Shadows  appear  Sub- 
stances; such  daring  chardges  without  any  proof.  But 
(we  have  Reason  to  beleeve)  such  arro-gant  Taunts  & 
malicious  Sarcasms  appear  throughout  the  one,  and 
the  other,  Together  with  the  falseness  of  severall  alle- 
gations; that  we  can  deem  them  no  less  than  Scandal- 
ous and  Infamous  Libells. 

And  Indeed,  My  Lord,  we  did  then  hope  that  my 
Lord  Cornbury  his  full  and  ample  answer  would  have 
opened  the  Eyes  of  the  Assembly,  and  brought  them 
back  to  their  reason  and  duty,  or  else  we  should  sooner 
have  dischardged  our  duty  in  giving  her  Majestie  a 
Representation  of  the  unhappy  circumstances  of  this 
her  Majesties  Province  and  Government  But  alass! 


406  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

Those  few  Turbulent  and  uneasie  Spirits  have  still 
been  able  to  Influence  and  amuse  the  Judgments  of 
many  well  meaning  men  in  that  Body  (and  we  Pray 
God  Your  Excellency  feel  not  the  Effects  of  their  De- 
vices) and  did  lay  a necessity  upon  us  to  Represent  the 
true  Cause  and  what  wee  conceived  may  be  a remedy 
to  the  Confusions  this  Province  laboured  and  still 
labours  under;  and  that  we  conceived  those  disturb- 
ances to  be  wholly  owing  to  the  uneasie  and  disloyall 
Principles  of  Two  men  in  that  Assembly , Mr  Lewis 
Morris  and  Mr  Sami  Jennings  a Quaker,  never  known 
to  be  consistent  with  themselves,  Men  to  whom  all  the 
factions  and  confusions  in  the  Government  for  many 
years  are  wholly  owing,  In  which  Expressions  wTe 
thought  our  selves  fully  Justified  in  our  own  knowl- 
edge of  the  men,  and  their  Actions  in  the  world. 

But  to  Enable  your  Excellency  to  lay  matters  of 
Fact  before  her  Majestie;  and  that  she  may  come  to  a 
true  knowledg6  of  these  Gentlemen,  tue  shall  give  you 
a f urther  Character  of  them. 

As  to  Mr  Morris  the  whole  County  where  he  lived 
namely  the  County  of  Monmouth  are  witness  to  his 
troublesome  temper,  whereby  he  was  a perfect  torment 
to  his  neighbours;  those  who  know  him  best  have  most 
reason  of  complaint,  And  since  he  came  to  write  man 
hath  been  Eminently  concerned  if  not  Principall  in  all 
the  Rebellions  & Disorders  that  have  been  in  this  Pro- 
vince, as  may  appear  by  his  own  hand  writing  of 
which  No.  24,  25  & 26  are  Coppies ; and  by  Records  of 
Courts  and  Certificates  No.  4,  5,  6,  7,  9 & 12;  Affi- 
davits No.  1,  2,  3,  & 8 there  is  hardly  a County  in  the 
Eastern  Division  wherein  he  did  not  succeed  to  stirr 
them  to  dangerous  and  notorious  Piotts  and  Rebellions, 
but  only  the  County  of  Bergen  where  he  did  not  fade 
for  doing  mischiefe  for  want  of  good-will,  But  that 
the  Dutch  People  therein  were  wiser,  and  treated  him 
with  that  Contempt  his  Evill  Designs  Required;  ffor 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


407 


his  old  and  Present  Confederate  the  Nonjuror  Wil- 
locks and  He  made  a Journey  (or  Voyage)  into  that 
County  to  Infuse  the  same  notions  of  Rebellion  ags1 
Governm1  as  they  had  preached  at  Elisabeth  Town, 
with  better  success.  But  all  they  got  of  that  People 
was  They  did  not  understand  oversetting  of  Governm t 
and  pulling  Magistrates  Judges  and  Justices  from  the 
Bench ; It  was  a werke  they  had  no  liking  to;  and  so 
closed  their  Resolutions  among  themselves,  that  they 
would  not  have  to  do  with  the  Spiker-maker;  That 
was  the  very  term  of  Contempt  (being  Dutchmen)  they 
used  towards  Morris  grounded  upon  the  Iron  works  his 
Unkle  left  him, 

What  we  have  said  of  M‘  Morris  and  Samuell  Jen- 
nings Viz1  That  They  were  men  notoriously  Known  to 
be  uneasie  under  all  Governm18  men,  never  known  to 
be  consistent  with  themselves  Men,  to  whom  all  the 
Factions  and  Confusions  in  New  Jersey  and  Pensyl- 
vania  for  many  Years  are  wholly  owing,  Are  such  no- 
torious and  self  Evident  Truths,  That  they  may  be 
rankt  among  the  Perspicua  Vera  quce  non  sunt  Pro- 
banda. 

But  after  the  Red-hott  Letters  of  Ml'  Morris  Espe- 
cially that  to  the  Governm1  No.  26 — which  is  wrote 
with  that  Pride  and  venom  that  Bedlam  would  scarce 
afford  a man  mad  enough  to  sett  a Governm 1 at  such 
Defiance  and  treat  Gentlemen  with  that  contempt ; and 
his  and,  Willocks  their  Short  Epistle  No.  12.  aforesaid 
brought  into  the  Councill  by  Mrs  Willocks  whilst  the 
Assembly  was  sitting,  and  Morris  and  Willocks 
aboard  a Sloop  turning  it  in  the  Bay  before  the  Town , 
Firing  Guns  as  by  way  of  Defiance  to  the  Governm \ 
and  the  Record  of  com’on  right  no  4.  5.  6.  7 &c*  in  all 
which  Morris  was  personally  contriver  and  actor  of  the 
Disorders  as  also  the  Records  of  those  Dangerous  Riots 
in  Essex  County  (after  Morris8  Inconsistencies  had 
made  him  Almanzor  like  change  Parties)  carried  on 


408  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

by  the  same  Principles  and  the  same  men  that  Morris 
had  stirred  up  into  Rebellion,  where  a Body  of  about 
seventy  horse  came  Purposely  to  destroy  the  Courts, 
Pulled  the  Magistrates  of  the  Bench,  tore  their  Cloatbs 
from  their  Backs,  Striking  and  abusing  them  with  the 
greatest  BiUinsgate  Language  they  could  find  as  ap- 
peal's by  the  Record  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  at  New- 
ark N?  28.  29.  A Place  where  Morris  himself  in  Person 
with  most  of  the  same  men  had  used  a Court  much  at 
the,  same  Rate  but  a little  before.  So  that  his  affording 
them  Precepts  and  Examples  the  last  Rebellion  (tho  he 
was  not  Present)  may  Justly  be  laid  at  his  Door.  As 
also  that  other  Ryott  of  forcing  the  Keys  of  the  Jail 
of  the  County  of  Essex  from  the  High  Sheriff,  and 
abusing  his  Person,  and  setting  Criminals  at  liberty, 
being  no  more  then  was  done  by  the  same  men,  (as 
appears  by  the  Records  of  the  Court  of  Com’on  Right) 
but  a little  before  in  Middlesex  County,  for  Ml'  Moms 
when  with  a Beam  of  an  house  they  Batter d Wood- 
bridge  Jail  to  Pieces  and  set  him  and  his  Seditious 
Companion  Willocks  at  liberty.  Who  were  there 
comitted  for  Severall  High  Crimes  and  Misdemeanours 
as  appears  by  the  PresentnT  of  the  Grand  Jury  No  6 
and  9. 

My  Lord,  when  Morris  began  to  disturb  the  Peace  of 
this  Province  the  People  were  quiett  under  the  Prop- 
rietors Government;  in  Conformity  to  a Command 
from  the  Crown  under  King  Charles  the  Second  his 
Hand,  Dated  Novemb.  23.  1683,  wherein  his  Majesty 
“declares  his  Royall  will  and  Pleasure  and  doth 
‘‘Strictly  chardge  and  comand  The  Planters  and  In- 
4 * habitants,  and  all  other  Persons  concernd  in  the  Said 
“Province  of  East  New  Jersey,  That  they  do  submitt 
“ and  yield  all  due  Obedience  to  the  laws  and  Governm1 
“ of  the  Grantees  their  heirs  and  Assignes  as  absolute 
‘ ‘ Propriety,  and  Governours  thereof,  And  we  have 
Just  reason  to  say  that  the  Disturbances  of  this  Prov - 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


409 


ince  seems  to  be  owing  wholly  to  those  tivo  men  viz ■ 
Lewis  Morris  and  Sam1  Jennings , their  naturall  tem- 
pers and  the  constant  business  of  their  lives  was  to  be 
always  in  Broiles,  always  in  Contention;  Humanum 
est  Err  are,  sed  Diabolic’ n perseverare ; Those  mens 
Extravagances  are  a large  field;  But  after  an  Instance 
or  two  more  of  Morris’s  Inconsistencies  shall  desist. 

When  Mr  Morris  was  in  the  Councill  at  the  Begin- 
ning of  my  Lord  Cornbury’s  GovernnT  he  was  against 
allowing  any  Authority  in  the  Courts  of  the  Province, 
Because  the  Broad  Seal  was  not  yet  arrived,  which 
alone  could  give  them  a Sanction,  and  the  first  Differ- 
ence between  my  Lord  Cornbury  and  him  was  upon 
that  head.  But  Mr  Morris  in  the  Assembly  is  not  at 
all  like  Mr  Morris  in  the  Councill ; for  notwithstand- 
ing his  opinion  given  warmly  in  Councill  of  the  neces- 
sity of  the  Seal  of  the  Province,  Yet  you  find  this 
Orator  who  had  the  penning  of  the  Remonstrance  for 
the  Representative  Body  of  ye  Province  makes  it  their 
first  and  greatest  Grievance.  That  Two  women,  con- 
demned not  long  after  Lord  Cornbury s accession  to 
this  Government  were  yet  living;  when  both  Morris 
and  the  Rest  of  the  Representative  Body  of  the  Prov- 
vince  Knew  that  they  were  tryd  and  sentenced  by  a 
Court  held  before  the  Seal  of  the  Province  arrived ; 
But  it  is  plain  that  if  Execution  had  been  done  on  that 
Sentence,  yet  however  the  Grievance  might  not  have 
been  lost,  nor  the  fine  Speech  in  the  closure  of  it  for 
without  any  alteration  of  ye  least  Syllable  and  with  a 
great  deal  more  of  reason,  by  only  putting  the  Judges 
in  the  roome  of  the  women  it  might  stand  as  it  does 
viz1. 

“ How  far  it  is  a Reflexion  on  Publick  Administra- 
“ tion  to  suffer  such  wretches  to  pass  with  Impunity 
“ we  dare  not  say  but  sure  the  Blood  of  these  Inno- 
“ cents  cries  aloud  for  Vengeance  and  Just  Heaven 
“ will  not  fail  to  pour  it  down  upon  our  already  mis- 


410  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

“ erable  Country  if  they  are  not  made  to  suffer  accord- 
“ ing  to  their  Demeritts. 

The  hast  the  Country  was  in  for  Tryall  of  the  said 
women  and  amongst  other  reasons  there  being  no 
Judges  to  Secure  them  occasion’d  my  Lord  Cornbury 
to  grant  a Special  Comission  to  some  gentlemen  of  the 
Western  Division  for  their  Try  alls,  wherein  there  was 
Irregularity  sufficient  to  set  aside  the  former  Sentence, 
and  to  our  Knowledge  My  Lord  had  taken  some  Steps 
therein  in  order  to  a new  triall  before  the  Judges  of  the 
Province  by  allowing  a writ  of  Errour  but  in  the 
mean  time  they  made  their  Escape. 

That  this  may  be  called  a Grievance  to  a Province 
that  there  is  no  Jayl  tohold  a Crimminall  we  allow,  but 
after  a Govern"  has  prest  the  consideration  thereof  as 
appears  by  his  Speeches  for  so  many  years,  and  the 
Assembly  wholly  neglected  to  do  anything  therein, 
must  leave  it  to  her  Sacred  Majestie  to  determine  at 
whose  door  the  fault  lies,  whither  at  the  Govern13  or 
the  Assemblies,  and  we  cannot  miss  here  taking  notice 
of  a false  Representation  made  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 
That  my  Ud  Cornbury  had  pardoned  the  ivomen , 
when  he  only  reprieved  them  which  occasioned  a Rep- 
rimand to  my  Lord  Cornbury  thereon.  So  false 
have  they  been  in  their  Representations  to  their  Lord- 
ships  and  leads  us  humbly  to  conceave  That  their  Rep- 
resentations in  the  Respect  of  the  Monopoly  was  not 
stated  with  the  whole  truth  necessary  circumstances 
requisite  to  forma  Judgement  thereon. 

That  the  ffixing  a certainty  of  land  Carriage  betwixt 
Burlington  and  Amboy  at  moderate  Rates  is,  Utile 
Reginve  et  Populo,  none  can  denie,  as  also  that  no  man 
is  hurt  thereby  because  no  Tie  was  in  that  way  of 
Trade,  and  no  such  like  convenience  ever  like  to  be, 
Except  the  Person  who  was  to  try  the  Experiment 
was  encouraged  by  an  assurance  of  enjoying  the  same 
for  some  years,  for  the  uncertainty  how  it  would  an- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  411 

swer  was  very  great,  and  a necessity  of  advancing  a 
considerable  sum  money  to  carry  on  the  Undertaking: 
for  the  Invention  is  here  now,  and  in  Consideration  of 
the  whole  circumstances,  wree  must  with  all  Humility 
& Submission  declare  that  it  was  Our  Opinion  that  it 
was  within  ye  considerac’on  of  the  Act  of  21  Jacobi 
lmi  and  that  her  Majesty  might  Grant  a Patent  for  the 
same  for  fourteen  years. 

Mr-  Lewis  Morris  a Counsellor  upon  the  Committee 
the  money  Act  that  granted  2000  P ann:  for  2 years  in- 
sisted on  an  amendmen*  for  the  adding  five  hundred 
pounds  P ann : more  Sc  Drew  a Scheme  to  demonstrate 
that  less  would  not  support  the  Government 

The  same  Mr  Lewis  Morris  an  assembly  man  is  not 
for  allowing  the  least  amendment  to  a mony  Bill  and 
that  fifteen  hundred  pounds  P ann  is  more  than  what 
is  needfull. 

M\  Lewis  Morris  in  the  year  1698  as  by  his  letter 
N°  24.  Setts  the  Government  the  Proprietors  and  the 
Quakers  at  utter  defiance  terms  their  Governours  Base 
Inconsiderate  fellows,  Persons  who  really  have  not  the 
right  to  govern,  and  further  adds  with  Relation  to  the 
Quakers  in  these  words 

“Nay  even  among  the  Mock  Lords  Proprietors  there 
“ are  some  that  deny  the  use  of  Arms,  A Tenet  not  the 
‘ ‘ safest  to  be  held  by  those  who  pretend  a right  to 
“ Govern,  it  leaves  us  naked  and  defenceless  A Prey  to 
“any  bold  Intruder,  subject  to  all  the  Rage  of  a Cruell 
“ Enemy,  and  the  Barbarous  Insults  of  the  Perfidious 
“ Heathen  round  about  us. 

Then  Speaking  of  the  Proprietors,  Says,  “ There  is  no 
“believing  anything  they  say  or  write;  Sayes  their 
“ Quitrents  are  an  unjust  Tax  upon  us  and  our  Heirs 
“for  Ever,  Calls  Gods  Holy  Name  to  witness  that  they 
“care  not  one  straw,  whither  the  King  or  the  Devillhas 
“ the  Governing  if  they  have  the  money  in  it,  terms 
“ them  Wretches  that  consider  not  what  will  become  of 


412 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 


44  this  poor  Country,  so  as  their  Voracious  appetites  be 
“ but  satisfied. 

Have  but  patience  till  the  year  1700  and  you  will  find 
him  quite  another  man  wonderfully  changed  in  less 
then  two  years  time , Then  you  shall  find  him  accept 
of  Comissions  from  the  Proprietors  Governin',  and  de- 
claring that  he  would  go  through  with  them,  and  if 
any  man  resisted  he  would  spill  his  Blood  or  he  should 
Spill  his;  for  he  made  no  Scruple  of  Conscience,  and 
would  go  through  with  the  office  he  had  accepted  from 
ye  GovernnT  though  the  Streets  ran  with  Blood  as 
P certificate  No  13  Quantum  mutatus  ab  illo! 

Its  needless  to  prove  how  far  an  agent  (as  he  pre- 
tends himself  for  Some  Proprietor)  in  the  Eastern 
Division,  and  the  West  Jersey  Society  (as  they  terra 
themselves)  and  a man  who  remonstrates  the  Griev- 
ances of  the  Province  in  a Quaker  Stile  is  changed  from 
what  he  was,  and  by  his  letter  of  ye  Second  of  August 
1700  directed  to  Elisabeth  Town  to  be  left  wth  Samuell 
Whitehead,  it  is  apparent  what  opinion  his  old  friends 
had  of  him.  Even  those  whom  he  led  into  the  former 
Violences  against  Government,  who  broke  Jayls  to  re- 
lease him  His  own  words  are  these  viz-  44  It  was  your 
4 4 complaint  I had  left  you  in  the  lurch  like  a villain, 
44  deceived  you,  ingaged  you  in  a Business  and  left  you 
4 4 in  the  middle  of  it,  That  if  I came  to  your  Town  you 
44  would  tear  me  to  pieces  and  more  Expressions  of  this 
44  nature  you  used  No.  25  ...  . 

So  that  we  think  he  has  proved  his  Inconsistences 
himself  under  his  own  hand  plain  Enough,  without 
any  need  of  our  Paraphrase  or  Explanation,  and  upon 
the  whole  matter.  The  Question  lies  only  here  whither 
he  was  Guilty  of  Rebellion  in  the  Year  1698  or  in  the 
year  1700. 

As  to  Samuel  Jennings  Since  God  hath  been  pleased 
to  take  him  out  of  the  world,  so  the  fear  of  further 
disorders  from  his  ambitious  turbulent  and  Inconsis- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  413 

tent  temper  are  removed  we  shall  not  rake  into  his 
ashes,  but  referr  to  a character  of  the  man  as  find  it 
Stated  in  Print  Intitled. 

“ The  Case  'put  and  Decided , by  George  Fox,  George 
“Whitehead  Stephen  Crisp  and  other  the  most  Ancient 
“and Reverend  Quakers  between  Edward  Billing  of  the 
“one  part  and  some  New  Jersians  beaded  by  Sam-  Jen 
“ nings  on  the  other  part,  in  an  Award  relating  to  the 
“Government  of  this  Province,  wherein  (not  moulded 
“ to  the  palate  of  the  Said  Samuell)  the  Light,  tho 
“ Truth,  the  Justice,  and  Infallibility  of  those  friends 
“ are  arraigned  by  him  and  his  Accomplices.’* 
and  such  an  account  given  of  their  Usurpation  Riotts 
& Rebellions,  as  without  saying  more,  will  warrant 
the  most  Severe  of  our  Expressions  upon  that  mans 
character. 

For  the  Quakers  we  meddle  not  with  their  Religious 
Perswasions  and  have  no  design  to  abridge  them  in  any 
of  their  liberties  and  Priviledges  they  therein  Injoy; 
But  their  Insolencies  in  Governm1  are  Intolerable,  by 
their  weekly  monthly  quarterly  and  yearly  meeting 
(where  civill  affairs  are  managed  as  well  as  Spirituall) 
their  Intelligence  from  all  Foreign  Parts  and  Gen- 
erali Combinations  they  become  Mischievous  and  dar- 
ing even  to  the  affronting  Magistrates  and  contemning 
the  laws,  and  Particularly  Pride  themselves  on  being 
able  to  Cramp  and  Confound  Governin'  and  we  do 
humbly  suppose  the  End  of  Her  Gracious  Majestys 
Goodness,  and  Indulgency  towards  them  by  allowing 
them  to  In  joy  many  Priviledges  beyond  what  their 
own  com’unity  do  or  can  Injoy  in  Great  Britain  in  ad- 
mitting them  into  the  Legislative  Power  of  this  Her 
Majesties  Province  and  to  allow  them  to  be  Magis- 
trates Justices  & Judges  of  the  lives  Liberties  and 
Properties  of  Her  Majesties  Subjects  was,  in  Ex- 
pectation that  they  would  answer  the  End  of 
Governm 1 and  so  deserve  her  Majesty 8 Gracious 


414  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

favour  extended  towards  them.  But  when 
instead  of  a gratefull  and  Dutifull  Return  to 
her  Majestie  for  her  great  favour  and  Indulgence  to 
them  they  not  only  refuse  to  pass  such  laws  as  the 
Honour  of  her  Sacred  Majestie  and  the  Peace  Security 
and  Settlement  of  the  Country  required,  but  abuse 
Scandalise  and  affront  her  Majesties  Governours,  join 
with  Persons  notoriously  Known  to  be  Turbulent  and 
uneasie  men,  who  have  been  open  disturbers  of  the 
Quiet  and  Peace  of  this  her  Majesty8  Government  for 
Severall  years  past  and  so  fond  of  their  Proceedings  as 
to  have  it  drest  in  Quaker  Stile;  They  seem  to  take 
off  the  Vizard  and  show  what  they  would  be  at,  and 
tell  us  plainly,  That  nothing  would  please  them  less 
than  the  old  Established  Magna  Charta  of  New  Jer- 
sey viz1 

That  the  whole  Power  be  in  their  own  hands, 
That  theCouncill  are  an  Unnecessary  Clogg,  and  That 
the  Governour  be  their  Tool. 

For  in  West  New  Jersey  we  have  a Great  Funda- 
mental Law  recorded;  made  when  Samuel  Jennings 
usurpt  the  Government;  That  the  Govern r.  for  the  time 
being  shall  sign  all  Acts  whatsoever  the  Representa- 
tives from  time  to  time  please  to  Enact , and  the  Speaker 
of  this  Present  Assembly  the  oft  menc’ond  Tho.  Gordon 
as  clo  severall  others  of  the  members  still  assert  their 
Old  Laws  to  be  of  force. 

My  Lord,  most  of  us  have  Estates  in  the  Province 
which  we  would  not  willingly  be  driven  from,  Wher- 
fore  my  Lord  upon  our  own  score  as  well  as  our 
Duty  to  the  Queen,  to  your  Lordship,  and  the  Coun- 
try, we  thought  fitt  to  lay  those  matters  before  your 
Lordships  Considerac’on,  and  however  Humble  the 
Quakers  Profess  themselves  or  appear  to  be  at  home, 
They  have  been  so  Rampant  as  with  whips  clubs  and 
staves  to  drive  out  the  Magistrates  from  the  Court 
house , and  not  suffering  them  to  Keep  Court , thereby 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


415 


1709] 


stopping  the  Currant  of  Justice , till  the  Governour 
was  forced  to  go  with  a Body  of  men  in  arms  to  quiett 
the  Rebellion,  and  Tho:  Gardiner  a Quaker,  a 
warm  member  of  the  Present  Assembly  a Great  In- 
cendiary in  that  Rebellious  resisting  the  GovernnY  Go- 
ing from  County  to  County  to  stir  up  the  People  to 
Sedition,  and  to  oppose  the  holding  of  any  courts  by 
the  Govern™  authority,  and  threatening  such  as 
yielded  obedience  thereunto,  and  Sam1-  Jennings  his 
Maxim  so  thoroughly  followed  viz1  That  the  Queen 
indeed  might  Com’ission  officers  in  the  Governing 
whom  if  they  would  Keep  themselves  honest  They 
would  take  care  to  Keep  them  Poor.  Which  indeed  they 
have  Punctually  performd  not  the  Least  Provision  for 
any  officers  of  the  Governm’  having  been  made  for 
any  longer  time  then  two  years  Since  the  GovernnT 
came  into  the  hands  of  the  Crown. 

May  it  Please  Your  Lordship 

When  we  saw  the  whole  Province  Involved  in  Con- 
fusions Factions  and  Parties,  and  that  no  Provision 
for  the  Support  of  GovernnT  no  remedy  to  those 
Evills  could  be  Expected  here;  we  thought  it  our  Duty 
to  make  a Representation  of  all  this  to  Her  Majestie, 
and  according  to  the  Best  of  our  Skill  and  JudgnT  to 
lay  at  Her  Majesties  Royall  Feet  The  True  Cause  & 
Remedy  of  those  Evills,  in  which  we  have  had  a 
Strict  Regard  to  Truth;  and  if  in  Discliardge  of  our 
Oaths  and  Duties  we  have  made  use  of  Some  harsh 
Expressions,  we  hope  her  Majestie  will  be  Graciously 
Pleased  to  attribute  it  to  our  Zeal  for  her  Majesties  Ser- 
vice, and  the  Great  and  most  unaccountable  Provoca- 
tions which  were  given. 

With  all  Humility  Subscribe  ourselves 

My  Lord  Your  Lordships  Obedient  Servants 
Richard  Ingoldsby 

William  Sandford  William  Pinhorxe 

Dan:  Coxe  Richard  Townley 

Robert  Quary  Roger  Mompesson 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


416 


Commmiinication  from  Peter  Sonmans  to  Lord  Love- 
lace, in  Answer  to  an  Address  from  the  Assem- 
bly of  New  Jersey,  with  accompanying  documents. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  68.  j 

To  his  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace, 
Barron  of  Hurley,  Captain  General  and 
Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Provinces  of 
New  Jersey,  New-York,  and  Territories 
depending  thereon  in  America,  and  Vice 
Admiral  of  the  same. 

The  Answer  of  Peter  Sonmans 

To  an  Address  presented  to  your  Excellency,  by 
the  House  of  Representatives,  dated  March 
18,  1708.  [9?] 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency, 

Before  I begin  to  say  any  thing,  in  Answer  to  the 
said  Address.  I must  humbly  beg  leave  to  return  my 
hearty  thanks,  for  the  right  your  Excellency  does  in 
permitting  me  to  justify  my  self  from  the  many  false 
Accusations  contained  therein:  which  I chearfully  un- 
dertake, in  consideration  of  my  own  Innocence,  and 
your  Excellency s justice  in  shewing  so-  great  a readi- 
ness to  hear  both  partys,  which  tho’  most  necessary  for 
the  discovery  of  the  truth,  the  Mannagers  & Contriv 
ers  of  that  Address,  did  not  intend  should  be  allowed 
me,  as  plainly  appears  by  the  Prayer  thereof. 

This,  my  Lord,  must  seem  a very  extraordinary  Pro- 


Covering  dates  from  April  14th  to  June  14th,  1709. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  417 

ceeding,  that  an  Assembly,  which  ought  to  take  all 
imaginable  care  of  preserving  the  Liberties  and  Proper- 
ties of  her  Majestys  Subjects,  and  Supporting  the 
Courts  of  Judicature,  should  be  induc’d  to  declare  me 
guilty  of  Illegally  using  the  Power  I am  cloathed  with, 
to  the  great  hurt  of  several  of  her  Majesties  Subjects, 
and  if  tolerated,  will  be  of  evil  Example  and  render 
their  liberties  and  Properties  precarious;  and  at  the 
disposal  of  every  Magistrate  who  will  make  his  Will 
and  not  the  Law,  the  rule  of  his  Actions,  while  the} 
themselves  trangress  the  Fundamental  Rules  of  Jus- 
tice, and  of  Liberty  and  Property,  in  condemning  me 
unheard,  and  praying  your  Lordship  to  do  the  same. 

How  ill  grounded  and  untrue  their  charge  is,  your 
Excellency  will  easily  discover,  and  whether  the  pro- 
moters of  this  Address  unwarrantably  use  the  trust 
reposed  in  them  to  the  evil  Example  of  the  Province, 
whether  they  render  the  Liberties  and  Properties  of 
the  Subjects  precarious,  when  they  condemn  without 
Proof,  when  they  set  themselves  up  as  a Sup  ream 
Court  to  hear  and  determine  all  such  things  as  the 
Law  in  its  ordinary  course  hath  provided  for,  and 
take  Cognizance  of  several  matters  that  are  already 
before  some  of  the  Courts,  and  must  there  be  tryed, 
tho’  they  have  not  so  much  as  the  power  of  adminis- 
tring  an  Oath  to  any  one  they  examine?  Or  I,  that  have 
to  the  utmost  of  my  ability,  endeavoured  to  keep  .up 
the  Authority  of  the  Courts,  and  never  judged,  much 
less  condemned  any  before  Examination  and  a full 
hearing,  thereby  endeavouring  to  preserve  the  Liber- 
ties and  Properties  of  her  Majestys  Subjects  from  be- 
ing precarious,  and  have  always  set  Justice,  and  the 
Laws,  (as  far  as  I knew  them,  being  no  Lawyer)  be- 
fore me  as  a Rule  to  govern  my  actions,  and  not  my 
Will,  as  is  asserted. 

The  Address,  tells  your  Excellency,  That  having 
Examined  into  the  truth  of  Several  Complaints  made 
27 


418  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

against  me,  do  find  &c.  thereby  intimating  that  sever- 
al Complaints  have  been  made:  when  by  their  own 
Votes  and  Report,  not  any  Complaint,  and  but  one  Pe- 
tition from  Persons  summon’d  to  serve  upon  a grand 
Inquest  for  the  Counties  of  Middlesex  and  Summer- 
set  at  a Court  of  Sessions  held  at  Amboy  the  8th  of 
March  last,  appears  to  have  been  presented  to  them; 
by  the  Prayer  of  which  Petition,  the  Petitioners  only 
desired  the  said  Counties  in  General,  and  themselves 
in  particular,  might  be  relieved  frome  some  pretended 
unpresidented  Proceedings,  and  unjust  Fines  (as  the 
said  Petition  did  stile  them)  imposed  upon  them  by 
that  Couid,  which  Fact,  if  they  had  been  as  true,  as 
indeed  they  are  not  only  related  to  what  happened  at 
that  Court,  without  so  much  as  mentioning  any  other 
Complaint.  This  Petition  being  referred  to  a Commit- 
tee, that  Committee,  as  I am  advised,  could,  nor  ought 
not  to  have  cognizance  of  any  other  matter,  or  thing, 
than  what  was  referred  to  them,  (viz.)  the  subject 
Matter  and  Prayer  of  that  Petition,  into  affairs  of 
quite  another  nature,  which  were  neither  referred  nor 
mentioned  to  them,  is  wholly  upresidented  and  un- 
warrantable. 

But  to  demonstrate  the  unaccountable  Proceedings 
of  the  Committee,  perfectly  to  your  Lordship;  your 
Excellency  will  please  to  remark,  That  Mr.  Willocks, 
the  chief  of  the  said  Petitioners,  because  I desired  him 
to  take  the  Oaths  appointed  by  several  Acts  of  Parlia- 
ment, in  the  room  of  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Su- 
premacy, See.  before  I would  admit  him  to  serve  on 
the  said  Grand  Inquest,  which  he  refused,  was  per- 
mitted to  arrogate  himself  the  liberty  of  being  chief 
Mannager  and  Examiner  at  the  said  Committee. 

The  Address  further  intimates  to  your  Excellency, 
That  they  are  sorry,  that  I,  who  have  the  honour  of 
being  of  the  Queens  Council,  and  do  not  want  suffi- 
cient Abilities  for  her  Service,  should  by  my  imprudent 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  419 

Conduct,  lay  them  under  a necessity  of  so  publick  a 
Complaint  against  me.  I am  as  little  obliged  to  the 
promoters  of  the  Address  for  that  honour,  as  for  their 
Complement,  because  the  first  was  by  some  of  their 
Members,  or  their  Friends,  opposed  as  much  and  as 
long  as  it  could,  and  the  last  only  used  to  aggravate 
the  Crimes  they  would  charge  me  with.  The  neces- 
sity they  lay  under  of  so  publick  a complaint,  an  im 
partial  Judge  will  find  difficulty  to  discern,  because 
supposing  all  they  say  true,  (the  contrary  of  which  I 
have  no  doubt  the  whole  Province  believes)  they  are 
things  of  that  nature  that  the  establish'd  Courts  ought, 
and  only  can  Judge  of  them,  were  accused,  as  well  as 
the  Accuser  must  be  legally  heard,  and  the  Evidences 
on  both  sides  duly  weigh’d  and  considered,  so  that  im- 
prudent Conduct,  not  to  give  it  a worse  term,  may 
more  truly  be  turned  upon  the  Mannagers  of  the  said 
Address  than  me. 

They  would  perswade  your  Excellency  in  the  next 
place;  That  they  cannot  be  so  much  wanting  to  the 
Country  they  represent,  as  to  be  silent  in  a Cause  that 
so  justly  requires  their  Consideration.  The  said  Ad- 
dressers, My  Lord,  might  have  cleared  this  point,  with 
mentioning  but  one  Complaint,  or  other  instance 
made  to  them  by  the  Country,  the  neglect  of  what 
could  give  the  least  ground  for  supposition  that  they 
are  wanting  to  the  Country  they  represent,  or  required 
ed  their  consideration,  so  particularly,  that  without  it 
no  remedy  could  be  had.  But  not  one  complaint  be- 
ing made  against  me,  save  that  one  Petition  before 
mentioned,  the  Country  and  I have  more  reason  to  be 
heartily  sorry,  that  some  members  among  the  Repre- 
sentatives have  so  far  indulged  their  own  private  Re- 
sentments, and  betrayed  the  truth  reposed  in  them,  to 
engage  a whole  Assembly  in  revenging  a particular 
Picque,  the  more  since  my  lawful  Endeavours  to  re- 
cover just  Rights  and  Dues,  which  they  have  torn  from 


420  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORI)  LOVELACE.  [1709 

me.  only  occasion  thatPicque:  such  Proceedings,  I am 
fully  convinced,  your  Excellency  will  never  counte- 
nance, but  on  the  contrary,  that  your  Lordship  will 
discourage  by  such  proper  methods  as  are  consonant 
to  your  Lordships  great  Wisdom  and  Justice,  all  those 
who  under  colour  of  preserving  the  Queens  Honour, 
and  performing  their  Duty  to  their  Country,  endeavour 
to  use  the  Power  allowed  them  only  to  make  both  a 
Party  to  and  assisting  in  the  Injurys  they  have  done. 

Being  sensible  that  my  Answer  to  the  Address  will 
oblige  me  to  trespass  too  much  upon  your  Lordships 
time,  I will  pass  over  many  just  Remarks,  which 
might  be  made  upon  it,  & confine  myself,  as  much  as 
is  possible,  to  what  is  immediately  conducing  to  my 
justification.  Wherefore,  I only  deny  and  so  pass  over 
the  groundless  Accusation,  that  those  Arbitrary  meas- 
ures (as  the  said  Address  is  pleased  to  stile  them)  with 
which  the  late  Administration  under  the  Lord  Corn  - 
bury  so  much  abounded,  were  very  much  owing  to 
my  Counsel,  I being  one  of  the  persons  on  whose  ad- 
vice his  Lordships  very  much  relyed,  because  the  said 
Address  it  self,  stiles  it  only  Belief  and  Conjecture. 
What  Arbitrary  measures  My  Lord  Cornbury  used, 
are  to  me  utterly  unknown,  and  if  any  such  w^ere, 
how^  little  they  can  affect  me;  I leave  to  your  Excel- 
lencys  consideration,  since  I had  not,  until  last  August 
the  honour  of  sitting  in  her  Majestys  Council,  nor  in- 
deed much  of  his  Lordships  Conversation,  besides, 
wholly  incapable  of  advising  a Nobleman  of  his  many 
extrordinarv  Qualifications  and  great  Sagacity. 

The  first  thing  the  Address  particularly  accuses  me 
with,  is.  That  I procured  the  arresting  of  Mr.  John 
Barclay  on  Whitsunday  last,  coming  out  of  Church 
from  the  Sacrament,  which  said  Address  affirms,  is  a 
manifest  breach  of  the  Peace,  and  Contrary  to  the 
Laws  in  that  case  made  and  provided  Here  the  Man- 
nagers  of  the  Address  prevailed  upon  the  Representa- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  421 

tives  to  assume  to  themselves  an  absolute  uncontroul- 
able  Power  of  determining  what  is  a breach  of  the  Law 
But  allowing  that  it  was  a breach  of  the  Peace,  it  is 
not  a Crime  of  so  high  a nature,  but  any  inferior 
Court,  nay,  a single  Justice  of  the  Peace  by  a law  of 
this  Province,  might  examine  into,  and  punish  it, 
without  troubling  your  Lordship,  which  is  evident  not 
only  from  every  days  practise,  but  even  from  the  Pro- 
ceedings which  have  succeeded  that  supposed  Crime, 
some  of  the  said  Committee  having  already  per- 
swaded  the  said  Barclay  to  arrest  Dr.  Arents  (who  took 
him)  for  his  alledged  mistake,  and  found  an  indict- 
ment against  him,  for  his  presumed  breach  of  the  Law 
But  I have  no  doubt  of  seeing  that  fact  justified,  be- 
cause I am  sure  its  common  in  England,  where  I never 
heard  such  a case  questioned;  which  is  thus. 

The  said  Barclay  refusing  to  answer  a Bill  filed  in 
Chancery  against  him,  after  the  time  he  had  prayed, 
and  was  allowed  him,  elapsed,  stood  all  the  Contempts 
of  the  said  Court  for  above  a year,  mostly  sheltering 
himself  in  your  Excellencys  Government  of  New- 
York,  at  length  a Commission  of  Rebellion  was  sealed 
against  him,  directed  among  others,  to  the  said  Dr. 
Arents,  which  I delivered  to  him  on  the  Saturday. 
He  asked  me,  if  he  might  execute  it  on  the  Sunday,  if 
he  should  chance  to  see  him*  I told  him,  he  might,  be- 
ing no  common  process,  but  a Commission  under  the 
broad  Seal  of  the  Province  to  answer  the  Queen  as  a 
Rebel;  accordingly  Arents  took  him,  after  he  was 
come  out  of  the  Church.  If  I erred  in  my  Opinion  in 
a point  of  Law,  which  is  the  utmost  can  be  made  of 
this  Article:  being  no  Lawyer,  I cannot  suppose  your 
Excellency  will  take  that  to  be  so  great  a crime,  as  to 
deserve  such  publick  Censure.  I do  not  believe  any 
Gentleman,  tho’  a Barrister,  was  ever  before  so  treat- 
ed, if  he  mistook  in  a point  of  Law,  which  is  not  yet 
determined  I did. 


422  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE  . [1709 

But  indeed,  one  would  think  the  close  of  this  Article 
pen’d  by  a Papist  or  Non- Juror,  such  large  Priviledge, 
is  given  to  the  Altar,  which  if  allowed,  tends  to  pro- 
tect Murtherers,  Robbers  or  any  Felones  from  being 
taken,  if  they  Presume  but  to  come  to  the  Lords 
Table. 

The  Second  Article  says,  I took  from  one  John 
Brown,  his  Horse,  without  assigning  him  any  reason 
for  it,  and  detains  him  to  this  day.  Surely  your  Ex- 
cellency will  not  judge  this  a matter  of  that  moment 
or  consequence  to  lay  the  Assembly  under  a necessity 
of  so  publick  a Complaint,  and  that  they  should  be 
wanting  to  the  Country  they  represent,  if  they  should 
be  silent  in  a cause  that  so  justly  requires  their  consid- 
eration, &c.  but  on  the  contrary,  that  so  trivial  and 
mean  a thing,  is  fitter  for  a Justice  of  Peace,  or  at 
most,  that  Court  where  Brown  has  been  advised  to  sue 
me,  than  your  Excellencys  Consideration,  But  it  serves 
to  increase  the  number  of  Articles  for  them,  and  to 
convince  your  Lordship,  what  pains  the  promoters  of 
the  Address  have  been  forced  to  take,  how  low  and 
much  beneath  the  Dignity  of  an  Assembly,  they  are 
obleg’d  to  stoop,  to  find  seeming  Accusations:  To 
which  I shall  not  trouble  your  Excellency  with  any 
further  Reply,  save  that  its  untrue  in  all  its  parts, 
That  I never  took  the  Horse,  detain’d,  or  have, 
or  have  had  him  in  my  Custody,  but  lay  the  Proof 
upon  them,  before  that  Court  where  they  have  com- 
menced their  action  Against  me.  This  I could  easily 
manifest  to  your  Excellency,  but  judge  it  too  incon 
siderable  for  your  Lordships  notice;  besides,  it  might 
be  prejudicial  to  me,  in  my  necessary  defence  in  its 
proper  place. 

Nevertheless  I cannot  omit  giving  your  Excellency 
another  evident  Demonstration  of  the  Unreasonable- 
ness of  the  Address,  in  misrepresenting  this  matter  on 
bare  suggestion,  either  of  some  of  the  said  Committee, 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  423 

or  else  their  cheif  Mannager,  Mr.  Willoks,  for  the 
which  Misrepresentation  there  is  as  little  foundation, 
even  in  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  as  the  committee 
had  warrant  to  meddle  with  the  whole  business,  which 
was  not  referred  to  them. 

The  Address  says.  Sometime  after  the  poor  Man 
(Brown)  had  commenced  an  Action  against  me  to  re- 
cover, if  possible,  his  Beast  unjustly  detained  from 
him,  one  Reeves  complained  against  one  Mellin  a 
Taylor,  &c.  insinuating,  and  so  timing  the  matter,  as 
if  I had  treated  Brown  severely  on  the  account  of  his 
carrying  away  Mellin,  to  revenge  the  suit  which  he, 
the  said  Brown  had  Commenced  against  me.  Where- 
as the  Reverse  is  true;  for  the  matter  of  Mellin  was 
long  before  Brown  arrested  me.  Melliirs  affair  hap- 
pening in  May,  and  Browns  Writ  bears  test  in  May 
Court,  but  was  not  sealed  until  July,  nor  had  I any 
notice  of,  or  was  arrested  upon  it  until  September  fol- 
lowing; from  whence  its  evident,  that  Browns  against 
me  for  the  Horse,  might  be  the  effect  of  Browns  re- 
sentment for  being  committed,  but  could  never  be  any 
reason  for  my  committing  him,  as  is  insinuated. 

Which  brings  me  to  the  matter  it  self  about  Mellin. 
Your  Excellency  will  here  see  the  temper  of  some  of 
the  Leading  Members  of  the  Assembly;  whose  Rancor 
carries  them  so  far  beyond  their  Reason,  that  they 
state  the  facts  different  from,  nay,  repugnant,,  not 
only  to  the  Report  of  the  said  Committee,  but  also  pre- 
vert what  was  said  by  the  persons  they  examined,  of 
which  I shall  give  your  Excellency  four  particular 
Instances. 

First,  The  said  Address  says.  That  one  Reeves 
complained  against  one  Mellin  a Taylor,  for  detaining 
a Coat  of  Reeves  which  I was  pleased  to  call  Felony, 
and  was  going  to  commit  Mellin  for  Fellony.  The  Re- 
port is,  That  I issued  my  Warrant  to  the  Constable  to 
bring  Mellin  before  me,  upon  John  Reeves  his  com- 
plaining of  Fellony  against  said  Mellin. 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


424 


[1709 


2dly,  The  Address  goes  on,  Tho’  Mellin  proved,  & 
Reeves  afterwards  confest,  Mellin  only  detained  the 
Coat  he  had  made,  till  Reeves  should  pay  him  for  the 
making  of  it.  This  being  joyned  to  the  fore-going,  it 
is  to  be  taken,  that  this  Proof  of  Mellin,  and  confension 
of  Reeves,  were  at  the  Examinatian.  But  the  Report, 
and  what  was  said,  is  quite  otherwise  (viz.)  That  I 
committed  the  said  Brown  into  the  Sheriffs  Custody, 
where  he  remained  until  Bailed  out,  altho’  Reeves 
afterwards  declared,  that  the  said  Mellin  had  not  stole 
the  Coat,  before  pretended,  but  detained  it  for  his  pay. 
From  whence  its  evident  that  this  declaration  of 
Reeves,  if  any  such  was,  happened  after  Reeves  was 
bailed  out,  and  not  at  the  Examination  before  me;  and 
its  plain;  by  the  Report,  from  what  A.  Hudy  said,  and 
the  Address  it  self  confesses,  that  it  was  some  time 
before  Brown  was  bailed;  neither  is  there  one  word  in 
all  the  Report,  that  Mellin  proved  that  he  detained  the 
Coat  for  want  of  payment  for  making  it;  all  which 
much  alters  the  state  of  the  case;  for  when  the  matter 
was  under  examination  before  me,  I could  take  no 
notice  of  discourse  that  happened  many  days  after. 

3dly,  The  Address  tells  your  Excellency,  That  Mel- 
lin finding  there  was  no  contending  with  absolute 
Power,  found  a way  to  escape  from  me,  and  was  set 
over  to  Statten  Island  by  the  aforesaid  Brown,  who 
was  altogether  ignorant  of  what  had  happened.  The 
Report  is,  At  the  desire  of  Mellin,  John  Brown  carried 
him  to  Statten-Island,  and  Brown  told  the  Committee, 
that  he  knew  Mellin  was  in  trouble.  So  that  not  one 
word  of  Absolute  Power,  nor  anything  that  appears 
like  it,  can  be  gathered  either  from  the  Report,  or  wliat 
was  declared  to  the  Committee. 

4thly,  The  Address  sets  forth,  “ Upon  which  Son- 
‘ ‘ mans,  to  gratifie  his  Resentment,  contrary  to  Law, 
“ commits  said  Brown  to  Gaol,  and  when  the  Sheriff  had 
“ admitted  him  to  Bail,  he  used  many  Threats  to  him 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  425 

“ for  his  so  doing,  ordering  him  to  take  him  back  again, 
“ telling  him  he  would  throw  up  his  Commission  and  go 
“ to  York,  and  desire  my  Lord  to  send  Souldiers  to  Rule 
“them;  Which  Threat,  and  Fear  of  being  governed  by 
“ Martial  Law,  induced  the  Sheriff  to  take  him  into 
“ Custody  again,  and  keep  him  in  Prison  till  my  Lord 
4 £ Cornbury  was  pleased  to  allow  he  might  be  admitted 
“ to  Bail.”  The  Report  is  only  thus,  “ But  the  next  day 
‘ ‘ he  committed  John  Brown,  which  after  some  time,  he, 
“viz  the  Sheriff,  admitted  to  be  bailed  out;  at  which 
“ Sonmans  was  very  angry,  and  said,  he  would  go  to 
“ York  to  my  Lord,  and  throw  up  his  Commission,  and 
“ desire  my  Lord  to  send  Souldiers  to  Rule  them.” 

Y our  Excellency  sees  that  there  is  no  mention  of  any 
Threats,  nor  any  Command  of  mine  to  take  him  into 
Custody  again,  much  less  does  the  Sheriff  say  one  word 
That  the  Threats,  or  fear  of  being  govern’d  by  Martial 
Law,  induced  him  to  take  the  Man  again  in  Custody, 
or  that  he  could  not  be  bailed  until  my  Lord  Cornbury 
was  pleased  to  allow  it,  who,  I believe,  was  never  ap  - 
plyed  to  about  it:  This  is  all  an  Addition  of  the  Con- 
trivers of  the  Address. 

The  next  Sentence  in  the  Address,  is,  ‘ ‘ This  Proceed - 
“ ing,  as  it  was  most  unlawful  and  unjust  so  it  tended 
“ not  only  to  render  her  Majesties  Subjects  entirely  de- 
‘ ‘ pending  on  my  Lord  Cornbury,  or  those  he  thought  fit 
‘ ‘ to  honour  with  Magistracy,  but  to  create  in  the  Minds 
“ of  People  an  aversion  to  her  Majesties  just  and  mild 
‘‘Government,  when  by  a humor  a Gentleman  of  the 
“ Council  could  Dragoon  them  at  pleasure. 

Here,  My  Lord,  The  Managers  of  the  Address  pre- 
vail upon  the  Representatives,  to  take  upon  themselves 
again,  an  absolute  Power  of  asserting  that  Proceedings 
are  most  Unlawful  and  Unjust,  when,  in  truth,  they 
know  not  what  the  Proceedings  are;  for  a learned 
Judge  tells  us,  Examination  without  an  Oath,  is  but 
loose  Discourse.  So,  upon  loose  discourse,  and  that 


426  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

without  hearing  what  the  other  side  has  to  object  to 
that  loose  discourse,  the  Promoters  of  the  Address  im- 
pose upon  the  Representatives,  to  judge  of  the  Lawful 
or  unlawfulness,  and  Justice  or  Injustice  of  ihe  Actions 
of  the  Officers  of  the  Government.  Whether  this  be 
asserting  and  protecting  the  Liberties  and  Properties 
of  the  Subject,  or  rendering  them  precarious  your  Ex- 
cellency will  easily  Judge? 

How  any  thing,  even  the  Address,  much  less  the 
Report  says,  can  have  the  tendency  by  the  Address 
mentioned,  I confess,  I understand  not,  nor  how  there- 
by Her  Majesties  Subjects  are  entirely  made  depending 
on  my  Lord  Cornbury,  or  those  he  thought  fit  to  h6n- 
our  with  Magistracy.  If  Brown  was  uneasy  under  his 
Commitment,  why  did  he  not  move  for  a Habeas  Cor- 
pus, as  the  Law  directs,  and  so  obtain  his  liberty, 
which  my  Lord  Cornbury,  nor  any  other  Magistrate, 
neither  could  or  would  have  disobeyed  What  they 
mean  by  a Gentleman  of  the  Council  could  Dragoon 
them  at  pleasure,  I protest  I understand  not.  The  Ad- 
dressers certainly  designed  not  that  Reflection  upon 
me,  because  they  and  their  Chief  Mannager,  Mr  Wil 
loks,  very  well  knew  that  I had  not  the  honour  of 
sitting  at  that  Board  until  some  Months  after;  besides, 
not  any  Soldiers  under  that  denomination,  were  ever 
here,  that  I know  of;  Nor  indeed  can  I see  the  least 
pretence  for  that  extravagant  Expression,  taking  the 
fact  in  as  bad  a sense  as  the  Mannagers  of  the  Address, 
themselves,  would  gladly  have  it  understood,  since  the 
most  it  amounts  to,  even  then  is  that  I said,  I would 
desire  such  a thing,  but  that  I ever  did  desire  it, 
appears  not. 

But  that  your  Excellency  may  be  fully  informed,  I 
will  presume  to  relate  the  fact  truly,  purged  from  the 
Glosses  put  upon  it.  Reeves  having  taken  Mellin  with 
his  Wife,  as  Inmates  into  part  of  his  House,  com- 
plained to  me  that  he  missed  sundry  things,  particu- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  427 

larly  some  Rum,  Wool,  working  Tools,  and  lastly  a 
Coat,  Mellins  had  made  for  him,  which  Reeves  had 
worn  several  times.  That  he  the  said  Reeves  being- 
gone  to  work,  Mellin  had  feloniously  taken  this  Coat, 
and  carried  it  to  another  house,  where  he  and  his  Wife 
had  retired,  without  giving  him  any  the  least  notice. 
Wherefore  finding  Mellins  had  taken  the  Coat,  he  be- 
lieves he  might  also  have  taken  some  of  the  other 
things;  there  fore  prayed  a Warrant  against  him, 
(which  I granted.)  When  both  appeared  before  me, 
Reeves  took  his  Oath  to  his  Camplaint  and  produced 
some  Witnesses,  which  affected  Mellin  as  to  the  Wool. 
Mellin  for  his  defence  alledged,  that  he  had  made  the 
Coat,  contest  the  taking  it  out  of  the  house  when 
Reeves  was  abroad,  and  carrying  it  away.  I asked  if 
since  he  had  made  the  Coat,  he  had  not  delivered  it  to 
Reeves,  and  whether  Reeves  had  not  many  times  worn 
it?  If  he  had  demanded  payment  of  Reeves,  and  given 
him  notice,  that  if  he  was  not  paid  for  the  making  he 
would  take  it  in  pawn?  Mellin  contest  he  had  delivered 
it  to  Reeves,  and  that  Reeves  had  worn  it,  but  could 
not  prove  he  had  either  demanded  payment  for  mak- 
ing, or  given  him  notice,  that  he  would  secure  the 
Coat  if  he  was  not  paid.  As  to  the  Wool,  and  other 
things,  he  only  answered,  he  knew  nothing  of  them, 
without  making  any  reply  to  what  the  Evidences  said 
relating  to  the  Wool.  I then  told  him,  I must  commit 
him.  Whilst  I was  writing  the  Mittimus,  I gave  the 
Constable  charge  of  him,  who  let  him  escape,  altho?  I 
called  to  him  expresly,  that  I should  require  him  at  his 
hands.  Presently  after,  I was  informed,  upon  Oath, 
That  John  Brown  had  carried  said  Mellin  over  in  a 
Cannoe  to  Statten  Island,  tho’  Brown  was  told  the 
whole  matter.  Whereupon  I sent  a Warrant  for 
Brown;  being  come  before  me,  I asked  him  some 
Questions  about  this  affair,  but  he  refused  to  make 
any  direct  Answer;  whereupon  I told  him,  he  must 


4x58  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

find  Sureties  to  appear,  and  answer  at  the  next  Ses- 
sions; which  he  absolutely  refused;  and  putting  his 
Arms  on  his  side,  turned  about  short,  and  bid  some  of 
the  Company  get  him  a horse,  he  would  ride  to  Goal 
in  State.  I then  committed  him. 

The  next  day,  being  told.  That  the  Sheriff  had  taken 
upon  himself  to  bail  Brown,  though  committed  as  an 
accessary  to  Felony;  I went  to  Woodbridge  to  inform 
the  Sheriff  of  his  Error,  and  warn  him  of  the  Incon- 
veniences he  might  suffer  thereby.  At  the  entrance 
into  the  Town,  I met  Brown,  with  the  Constable  and 
another  returning  to  Amboy.  I enquired  the  reason 
thereof ? The  Constable  told  me,  The  Sheriff  had  ac- 
cepted of  Bail.  I answered,  That  the  Sheriff  could  not 
do  that;  and  commanded  the  Constable  to  bring  Brown 
back  before  me;  which,  though  often  repeated,  the 
Constable  utterly  refused  to  do.  I went  into  the  Town, 
ask' t the  Sheriff,  by  what  Authority  he  bailed  a Pris- 
oner so  committed?  He  told  me.  There  were  three 
Men  bound  in  One  Thousand  pound  a piece  to  deliver 
Brown  to  him  again,  whenever  he  should  be  demanded. 
I advis’d  him  to  demand  him  presently;  related  to  him 
what  had  happened  with  the  Constable,  adding,  That 
I would  complain  to  my  Lord  of  this  Contempt,  which 
if  he  would  not  direct  to  be  prosecuted  I would  lay 
down  my  Commission,  for  that  it  was  to  no  purpose 
to  keep  it  if  I could  not  be  obeyed;  and  if  People  could 
not  be  ruled  by  the  La  ws,  or  the  Civil  Magistrate,  my 
Lord  must  send  down  Soldiers  to  compel  them.  The 
Sheriff,  sensible  of  his  Error,  sent  for  Brown  again, 
and  kept  him  until  he  thought  fit  to  apply  to  the  Secre- 
tary to  be  bailed,  who  immediately  bailed  him,  with- 
out any  direction  or  allowance  of  my  Lord  Cornbury, 
who  I believe  was  never  spoke  to  about  the  Bailment, 
as  is  insinuated  by  the  Address.  I indeed  complained 
to  his  Lordship  of  the  Disobedience  of  the  Constable, 
whom  my  Lord  directed  to  be  bound  over,  and  the 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


429 


1709 


Grand  Jury  have  found  the  Indictment  against  him. 
Mellin  was  afterwards  taken  up,  but  soon  bailed,  and 
the  Attorney  General  preferred  an  Indictment  to  the 
Grand  Jury  against  him  last  November  Court,  the 
Names  of  four  Witnesses  being  upon  the  back  of  the 
said  Indictment,  who  were  also  Sworn;  but  the  said 
grand  Jury,  of  which  Mr  Royce  (the  Chair-man  of  this 
Committee  was  Foreman)  were  pleased  never  to  Return 
the  said  Indictment  into  the  Court,  nor  so  much  as 
sent  for  one  of  the  Witnesses.  Your  Lordship  will 
now  judge  whether  my  procedure  is  Unlawful  and 
Unjust:  I humbly  conceive,  if  a Justice  of  the  Peace 
is  not  protected  in  the  Execution  of  his  Office,  but  is 
suffered  to  be  Affronted,  his  Commands  disobeyed, 
and  those  he  thinks  fit  to  Commit,  carried  away  out 
of  the  Government,  that  Excellent  Constitution,  which 
has  provided  so  useful  an  Officer,  will  soon  be  lost. 

But  here  I must  again  take  Notice  to  your  Excel- 
lency, That  supposing  everything  in  this  Article  al- 
ledged,  is  true,  its  not  of  that  nature  to  lay  the  Repre- 
sentatives under  the  Necessity  of  so  publick  a Com- 
plaint,  Or  that  they  should  be  wanting  to  the  Country 
they  represent,  if  they  were  silent,  much  less  that  it 
so  justly  requires  their  Consideration;  forasmuch  as  I 
am  advised,  That  the  matter  no  way  concerns  them, 
because  the  utmost  the  whole  Charge  can  amount  to, 
is,  That  I wrongfully  committed  Mellin  and  Brown, 
which  if  I did,  they  had  their  Remedy,  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  the  Law,  before  the  established  Courts,  with- 
out presuming  upon  your  Lordships  time,  who  cannot, 
if  they  are  wronged,  adjudge  them  any  Satisfaction 
but  must  at  last  leave  the  matter  to  be  determined  by 
the  Law. 

The  Third  Accusation  is  in  a Case  depending  between 
the  Queen  and  Mr  John  Harrison,  upon  an  Information 
exhibited  by  the  Attorney  General,  he  the  said  Sonmans 
endeavoured  to  perswade  the  Sheriff  to  pack  a Jury, 


430 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


as  the  Address  untruly  relates.  The  Report  and  what 
the  Sheriff  said  at  the  Committee,  being  quite  other- 
wise I know  not  what  the  Address  means.  The  Sher- 
iff said  (according  to  the  Report  of  the  Committee) 
That  it  was  upon  a Triall  of  John  Harrison,  at  a Su- 
preme Court  at  Burlington  in  a Cause  depending  be- 
tween the  said  Sonmans  and  Harrison.  So  here  the 
Causes  differ,  and  in  truth,  I cannot  make  any  An- 
swer to  it,  since  I know  nothing  of  the  Matter,  I 
had  no  Causes  depending  between  Harrison  and  my 
Self,  that  could  come  on,  or  were  ready  for  Try  all,  at 
that  Court  at  Burlington:  If  it  was  a Cause  of  the 
Queens,  I had  no  business  with  it,  nor  was  acquainted 
with  any  steps  taken,  in  order  to  bring  it  to  Tryall, 
much  less  to  pack  a Jury;  wherefore  I absolutely  deny 
the  Charge,  nor  know  anything  of  the  Fact,  Cause  or 
Time.  I confess,  I have  many  times  advised  the 
Sheriff  to  be  careful  to  get  good  Juries,  and  not  to  im- 
pannel  any  he  thought  Partial,  or  inclining  to  any 
Party;  nor  am  sensible  that  I have  therein  committed 
any  fault;  tho?  with  submission,  I think  the  said  Rep- 
resentatives would  have  done  well,  and  had  reason 
enough  to  have  enquired  into  the  reason  how  such 
strange  both  Grand  and  Petty  Juries  have  been  impan- 
nelled  of  late,  who  have  all  along  gone  directly  con- 
trary to  the  Charge  given  them  by  the  Court,  and 
the  fullest  Evidence  that  could  be;  and  whether  some 
others  have  not  pack’t  Juries  to  their  own  purpose, 
which  have  occasioned  some  Presentments  and  Ver- 
dicts to  go  accordingly. 

The  Fourth  Article  is  represented  to  your  Exceel- 
lency  as  a great  Instance  of  my  Injustice  and  Partial- 
ity, but  will,  I doubt  not,  appear  as  much  to  my  Ad- 
vantage, as  more  it  seems  the  contrary,  - when  it  is 
truly  related.  The  Fact,  My  Lord,  is  thus:  Michael 
van  Vechten  (who  of  the  two  mentioned  in  this  Ar- 
ticle, is  more  my  Friend  and  Acquaintance,  than 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION-  OF  LORD  LOVELACti. 


431 


Alexander  Walker)  arrested  Walker  for  £130  in  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  in  which  Court  there  is  a 
standing  Rule,  That  all  Writs  shall  be  signed  by  the 
Party  himself,  or  his  Attorney.  The  Writ  was  not 
signed  by  said  Van  Vechten,  but  by  Mr  Gorden,  who 
.was  not  at  that  time  allowed  to  practice  as  an  Attorney. 
Mr  Gorden  appeared  for  the  Plantiff,  Van  Vechten,  the 
Attorney  General  for  the  Defendant,  Walker.  The 
Cause  being  called,  Mr  Attorney  General  for  the  De- 
fendant, moved,  that  the  Writ  might  abate,  because 
it  bore  Test  in  the  Vacation,  and  was  not  signed  by 
Van  Vechten  or  his  Attorney,  as  the  Rule  required. 
Being  sensible  that  Mr  Gorden  watched  for  an  oppor- 
tunity of  Complaint  against  me,  altho’  he  was  not  al- 
lowed to  plead,  I suffered  him  to  say  all  he  could  for 
his  Clyent,  only  told  him,  he  ought  not;  but  however, 
gave  way  to  his  Pleading.  After  a long  Debate,  I gave 
Judgment,  That  the  Writ  should  abate,  because  it  bore 
Test  in  the  Vacation;  which  is  certainly  a good  Reason 
for  Abatement.  The  Defendant  thereupon  made  out 
his  Bill  of  Costs,  which,  as  the  Ordinance  allows,  I 
taxed,  tho?  I cannot  remember  the  Sum;  but  be  it 
what  it  will,  I dare  maintain  my  Taxation,  by  the  Or- 
dinance then  in  force.  As  to  what  the  Address  says, 
Where  a Writ  of  the  Plaintiff  abates,  no  Costs  ought 
to  be  paid:  All  former  Practice  in  the  Province  con- 

futes such  an  Assertion.  And  that  the  unfairness  of 
the  Address  may  more  plainly  appear,  I must  add, 
that  by  the  Oath  of  the  Judge  of  said  Court,  I ought 
not  to  give  Counsel  or  Advice  to  either  Party;  yet  the 
Adress  accuses  me  for  not  doing  that,  when  it  tells 
Your  Excellency  in  the  same  Article,  That  another 
Writ  signed  in  the  same  manner  as  that  was,  met  with 
no  Objection  from  me,  but  was  allowed  of.  There 
was  indeed  another  Cause  called,  between  Jacob 
Arents  Plaintiff,  and  Robert  Mellin  Defendant,  both 
who  appeared  in  Person;  The  Plaintiff  moved  for  a 


432 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


1709 


Rule  to  oblige  the  Defendant  to  plead  to  his  Declara- 
tion, but  the  Defendant  made  no  exception  to  the 
Writ,  which  I never  saw,  nor  indeed  was  it  my  busi- 
ness to  look  after  it  From  whence  its  evident,  That 
except  I had  seen  the  Writ,  and,  contrary  to  my  Oath, 
been  of  Councill  for  the  Defendant  I could  not  make 
any  exception  to  it. 

But  that  the  Partiality  of  the  Address,  and  particu- 
larly of  M1-  Gorden  who  only  spoke  to  this  matter  be- 
fore the  Committee,  may  appear  to  your  Excellency 
as  clear  as  the  Sun  at  Noon,  I must  beg  your  Excel- 
lency will  be  pleased  to  observe,  That  at  the  very  last 
Court  of  Pleas  held  at  Amboy,  the  11th  March,  Mr 
Gorden  pleaded  in  Abatement  for  the  Defendant  to  this 
very  Writ  they  accuse  me  of  passing  without  being 
signed  by  the  Party,  according  to  the  Rule  of  the 
Court;  but  before  the  Court  gave  Judgment,  agreed  to 
put  in  an  issuable  Plea.  I told  Mr.  Gorden,  if  they  had 
not  agreed,  I must  have  given  Judgment  for  the  De- 
fendant, because  the  Reason  pleaded  for  Abatement, 
was  good. 

Before  I pass  from  this  Article,  I must  beg  leave  to 
represent  to  your  Excellency,  That  what  ever  the  mat 
ter  of  Facts,  here  charged,  are,  they  are  not  such  as 
belong  to  the  Representatives,  nor  obliges  them  to 
such  extraordinary  Proceedings,  since  if  I have  erred, 
the  party  injured  could  and  may  yet  have  his  Remedy 
at  the  established  Courts,  and  not  by  such  unpresi- 
dented  Methods. 

The  Fifth  Article  Complains  of  my  refusing  to  bind 
Alexander  Walker  to  the  Peace,  on  pretence,  That  I 
was  immediately  going  out  of  Town  on  your  Lord- 
ships  business,  tho’  I staid  in  Town  part  of  the  next 
day;  which  Accusation  I utterly  deny;  no  regular 
Complaint  being  ever  made  to  me.  I confess,  that  on 
Sunday,  about  three  of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon,  as 
I was  sitting  at  Dinner,  and  then  going  just  out  of 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  433 

Town,  M-  Gorden  told  me  a story  to  the  purpose  in  the 
Address  set  forth;  to  which  I answered,  that  I was  to 
go  out  of  Town  as  soon  as  I should  rise  from  the  Table, 
that  I should  be  back  at  night,  and  go  away  next 
morning  early,  there  fore  advised  him  to  apply  to 
some  other  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  he  promised 
to  do.  But  I must  also  inform  your  Excellency,  that 
nothing  of  what  Mr;  Gorden  said  appear'd  to  me, 
Himself  confest  it,  all  Hear-say;  he  was  neither  the 
Party  hurt,  or  threat-ned  to  be  hurt,  had  not  seen  any 
body  hurt,  or  heard  any  threatned,  nor  shewed  me 
any  Authority  or  request  from  the  grieved  Party,  if 
any  there  was  for  what  he  did.  much  less  made,  or 
offered  to  make  Oath,  as  the  Law  requires,  that  any- 
thing he  said  was  true,  or  that  anybody  was  in  any 
danger  or  fear;  and  all  Examinations,  without  Oath, 
are  but  loose  discourse,  upon  which  no  Justice  can 
answer  the  binding  of  any  one  over.  And  I have 
much  reason  to  believe,  the  matter  of  fact  was  other- 
wise than  as  Mr.  Gorden  reported,  for  tho'  I returned 
at  night,  and  went  not  out  of  Town  till  Ten  the  next 
morning,  I heard  nothing  of  M1'  Gorden  or  the  Persons 
he  pretended  to  appear  for. 

The  Sixth  Article  relates  to  my  own  private  particu- 
lar Affairs:  that  matter  is  already  brought  before  the 
Supreme  Court,  where  it  must  have  its  determination, 
wherefore  shall  not  trouble  your  Excellency  with  any 
other  answer,  then,  that  I deny  the  fact.  Tho’  I can- 
not omit  observing  to  your  Excellency  that  this  can- 
not be  any  instance  of  my  rendring  the  Liberties  and 
Properties  of  her  Majesties  Subjects  precarious,  nor  a 
Crime  of  that  nature,  as  lays  the  said  Representatives 
under  the  necessity  of  so  publick  a Complaint.  Which 
if  the  said  Representatives  should  neglect,  they  should 
be  wanting  to  the  Country  they  represent,  since  the 
meanest  Court  in  the  Province  has  power  to  take  no- 
tice, and  punish  any  such  crime,  when  its  proved  be- 
28 


434 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


fore  them.  The  whole  matter  is  of  so  mean  and  in- 
considerable a nature,  that  the  Managers  of  the  said 
Address  ought  to  blush  when  they  trouble  your  Lord- 
ship  with  such  trifles;  its  a hard  case  when  an  Assem- 
bly is  forced  to  strain  the  trust  reposed  in  them,  to  so 
great  a degree,  only  to  gratify  the  private  revenge  of  a 
few  of  their  Members. 

The  Seventh  Article  is  of  a piece  with  the  former, 
to  which  I shall  therefore  only  answer,  That  I utterly 
deny  the  facts,  for  which  some  of  the  Members  of  the 
said  Representatives  presented  me;  that  I have  much 
reason  to  believe  the  Grand  Jury  themselves  did  not 
believe  what  they  brought  in;  but  were  imposed  upon 
and  over  born  by  some,  who  never  minded  the  Oath 
they  had  taken,  and  that  those  Indictments  are  False, 
Scandalous  and  Malitious,  invented  for  a handle  to 
fling  dirt,  which  plainly  appears  in  their  being  so  laid 
and  contrived  that  the  main  accusations  can  never 
come  regularly  to  be  tryed,  the  sham  Indictment  be- 
ing found  by  an  Inquest  not  of  the  place  where  the 
fact  is  alledged  to  be  committed. 

I boldly  affirm  to  your  Excellency,  that  I am  not 
conscious  of  any  guilt,  which  can  make  me  fear  any 
honest  Grand  Jury,  that  will  be  bound  by  the  Oath 
that  they  take,  (viz)  that  they  shall  not  present  any 
one  for  hatred  or  malice,  or  excuse  any  for  fear,  favour 
or  Affection  nor  have  ever  after  an  unpresidented 
manner  hindred  the  Grand  Inquest  from  doing  their 
Duty  at  the  last,  or  any  other  Court. 

What  I did  at  the.  last  Court  of  Sessions  at  Amboy, 
the  8th  of  March,  your  Excellency  has  been  pleased 
to  approve  of,  viz.  Not  to  admit  any  to  serve  upon 
the  Grand  Inquest,  who  refus'd  to  take  the  Oaths  to 
the  Queen,  as  by  Law  required.  This,  My  Lord,  is 
what  the  Managers  of  the  Address  are  pleased  to  call 
Hindring  a Grand  Inquest  from  doing  their  Duty, 
after  an  miprecidented  manner;  Tho’I  may  more  truly 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  435 

say,  That  the  said  Inquest  being  led  by  Mr.  Willocks, 
who  publickly  declared  he  would  not  take  the  Oaths, 
and  was  pleased  to  term  it,  taking  the  Lords  Name,  in 
vain,  did,  after  an  unpresidented  manner,  with-draw 
from,  and  did  not  attend  the  said  Court,  as  they  ought 
to  have  done.  The  Reason  of  which,  and  why  the 
Sheriff  did  not  summons  another  Grand  Jury,  as  he 
was  commanded,  I presume  the  said  Representatives, 
or  some  of  them,  know  best,  there  being  but  too 
much  Reason  to  believe,  that  the  whole  matter  was  so 
ordered  by  some  Members  of  the  Representatives,  who 
being  conscious  of  the  Riots  and  Breaches  of  the 
Peace  they  had  lately  been  guilty  of , were  justly  ap- 
prehensive of  their  Crimes,  and  would  not  escape  due 
Prosecution.  How  careful  some  of  the  Representa- 
tives have  been  of  tolerating  evil  Examples,  How 
Anxious  to  preserve  the  Liberties  and  Properties  of 
the  Subjects  from  being  precarious.  Whether  they 
have  been  wanting  to  the  Country  they  represent; 
Whether  they  have  been  silent  in  a Cause  that  might 
justly  require  their  Consideration ; and  lastly,  Whether 
they  protect  those  that  publickly  stand  up  in  Defiance 
against  many  Acts  of  Parliament!  I shall  leave  to 
your  Excellencys  Considerations,  when  your  Excel- 
lency shall  please  to  reflect,  that  all  this  Accusation  is 
only  because  I would  oblige  a Grand  Juryman  to  take 
the  Oaths,  which,  it  seems,  is  so  great  a Crime,  in  the 
Eyes  of  many  of  the  Representatives,  that  it  lays 
them  under  a Necessity  of  so  publick  a Complaint 
against  me. 

To  the  Eighth  and  last  Article,  I say  and  confess, 
That  in  four  Criminal  Causes  depending  before,  and 
tryed  this  last  Court  of  Sessions  at  Amboy,  I did  not 
admit  a Quaker  to  serve  on  the  Jury,  which  I have  no 
doubt  but  your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  approve 
of,  for  the  following  reasons. 

First,  Because  I never  heard,  by  any  Instruction  of 


A DM  I. \J  ST  RATION  OF  LORD  LOVE  LACK. 


[1709 


430 

her  Majesty,  the  Quakers  were  admitted  to  be  upon 
Jurys.  I have  heard,  and  do  believe,  that  an  Instruc- 
tion to  the  purpose  following,  may  have  been  given,  viz. 

“Whereas  we  are  informed,  that  divers  of  our  good 
“Subjects  inhabiting  those  Parts,  do  make  a Religious 
“ Scruple  of  Swearing;  and  by  reason  of  their  refusing 
“ to  take  an  Oath  in  Courts  of  Justice,  and  other  Places, 
“are  or  may  be  liable  to  many  Inconveniencies,  Our 
“Will  and  Pleasure  is,  that  in  order  to  their  ease,  in 
‘ ‘ what  they  conceive  to  be  matter  of  Conscience,  so  far 
“as  may  be  consistent  with  good  order  and  Govern - 
“ ment,  you  take  care,  that  an  Act  be  passed  in  the 
k £ General  Assembly  of  our  said  Province,  to  the  like 
“ effect  as  that  passed  here  in  the  Seventh  and  Eighth 
“year  of  his  late  Majesties  Reign  Entituled,  An  Act 
“for  the  Solemn  Affirmation  and  Declaration  of  the 
‘ c People  called  Quakers  shall  be  accepted  instead  of  an 
“Oath,  in  the  usual  form;  and  that  transmitted  to  Us, 
‘ ‘ and  Our  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plantations, 
*“&c” 

But,  with  submission,  1 humbly  conceive  this  so  far 
from  allowing  them  to  serve  upon  any  Jury,  that  it 
does  not  so  much  as  direct  they  shall  have  the  benefit 
of  the  Act  there  mentioned;  hut  on  the  contrary,  from 
the  very  words,  it  plainly  appears,  that  her  Majesty 
gave  no  direction  against  that  Law,  nor  allowed,  much 
less  directed  that  they  should  have  the  ease  by  that 
Law  given  them,  but  that  they  are,  or  may  still  be 
liable  to  the  many  Inconveniencies  in  this  Province,  to 
which  they  were  exposed  in  England  before  that  Act  was 
made;  for,  if  otherwise,  what  Reason  can  be  assigned 
for  these  words  in  the  Instruction,  ‘ ‘ Our  W~ ill  and  plea- 
“ sure  is,  that  in  order  to  their  Ease,  &c.  you  take  care 
“that  an  Act  be  passed,  &c.”Like  wise,  these  foregoing, 
“And  by  reason  of  their  refusing  to  take  an  Oath  in 
“Courts  of  Justice,  and  other  Places,  are  or  mavhe 
“ liable  to  many  Inconveniencies. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  437 

Secondly,  Because  even  by  that  Instruction,  where- 
by Her  Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  admit 
the  Quakers  to  bear  and  share  in  several  Offices  in  this 
Government,  nothing  is  contained,  as  I am  advised, 
that  can  be  construed  to  extend  to  permitting  them  to 
serve  on  Juries;  which  will  plainly  appear  to  your  Ex- 
cellency from  the  Instruction  it  self,  which  1 have 
heard,  and  do  believe,  may  be  in  these  words,  viz. 

“ And  whereas  we  have  been  farther  Informed,  that 
“ in  the  first  settlement  of  the  Government  of  our  said 
“ Province,  it  may  happen,  that  the  number  of  Inhabi- 
tants fitly  qualified  to  serve  in  our  Council,  and  in 
‘ ‘ the  General  Assembly,  and  in  other  places  of  Trust 
“and  Profit  there,  will  be  but  small.  It  is  therefore 
“ our  Will  and  Pleasure,  that  such  of  the  said  People, 
“called  Quakers,  as  shall  be  found  capable  of  any  of 
“those  Places  or  employments  and  accordingly  be 
“ elected  or  appointed  to  serve  therein,  may  upon  their 
‘ 1 taking  and  signing  the  Declaration  of  their  Allegiance 
‘ ‘ to  us,  in  the  form  used  by  the  same  People  here  in 
“ England,  together  with  a Solemn  Declaration  for  the 
“true  discharge  of  their  respective  Trusts,  be  admitteed 
“by  you  into  any  of  the  said  Places  or  Imployments. v 

From  which  words  in  the  Preamble,  We  have  been 
informed,  that  in  the  first  settlement  of  the  Govern- 
ment, it  is  plain  that  that  Instruction  took  its  rise  only 
from  Information : Against  the  truth  of  which,  I shall 

not  trouble  your  Excellency  with  any  arguments  here, 
tho’  the  contrary,  I am  assured  of  from  many  good 
hands.  But,  my  Lord,  here  is  not  one  word  of  being  ad- 
mitted to  serve  on  Juries,  in  the  whole  Instruction; 
it  seems  to  be  restrained  to  the  Council,  General  As- 
sembly, and  other  Places  of  Trust  or  Profit,  under 
which  denomination  that  of  a Jury-man,  as  I humbly 
conceive,  cannot  well  be  accounted. 

Besides,  your  Excellency  will  please  to  Remark, 
That  the  Preamble  gives  the  Reason  of  this  Instruc- 


438  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

tion.  viz.  That  in  the  first  Settlement  it  may  so  hap- 
pen. that  the  Number  of  Inhabitants  fitly  qualified  to 
serve.  &c.  will  be  but  small.  It  is  therefore  plainly 
intimating,  That  if  there  were  a sufficient  Number  to 
serve,  that  Instruction  would  not  have  been  given. 
Now,  My  Lord,  in  this  Cause  complained  of,  a suffi- 
cient Number  to  serve  were  impanneled;  so  that,  at 
best,  an  Officer  may  err  in  admitting  a Quaker,  but 
not  (with  submission)  if  he  does  not. 

3dly,  Because  the  last  Clause,  but  one,  of  the  Act  of 
the  7 & 8 of  William  the  3d,  mentioned  by  her  Majesties 
Instructions,  and  recommended  to  be  past  here,  in 
order  to  the  ease  of  the  Quakers,  in  express  words  for- 
bids it;  which,  for  the  more  certainty,  I shall  presume 
to  trouble  your  Excellency  with,  and  are  these: 

“ Provided  and  be  it  Enacted,  That  no  Quaker  or  re- 
“ puted  Quaker,  shall,  by  virtue  of  this  Act,  be  qualified 
“or  permitted  to  give  Evidence  in  any  Criminal  Causes, 
“ or  serve  on  any  Jury,  or  bear  any  Office  or  Place  of 
“Profit  in  the  Government,  any  thing  in  this  Act  to 
“ the  contrary  in  any  wise  notwithstanding. 

The  Conclusion  of  the  said  Address  is  so  very  ex- 
traordinary, that  I wrould  not  in  any  way  alter  it,  but 
shall  repeat  the  words,  “ Were  there  no  more  to  be  said 
“against  him  than  his  being  indicted  for  Perjury  and 
“ Adult ry,  we  humbly  conceive  would  justifie  what  we 
“are  to  desire  of  your  Lordship,  a Person  of  that  Char- 
acter being  a scandal  to  her  Majesties  Council;  and 
4 ‘ we  believe  your  Excellency  will  think  it  a Reflection 
“on  the  publick  Administration  to  continue  him  in 
“that  Station;  We  therefore  pray,  that  your  Excel. 
“ lency  would  remove  him  from  your  Presence,  her 
“Majesties  Council,  and  from  all  Places  of  Trust  and 
4 4 Profit  in  this  Province.  ” So  that  the  said  Representa- 
tives in  very  Plain  Terms  desire  your  Excellency,  first, 
To  Condemn  me  unheard,  or  before  any  thing  is 
proved  against  me,  upon  their  bare  Affirmation,  as  a 


1709]  ADMIXISTBATIOX  OF  LOUD  LOVELACE.  439 

Scandal  to  her  Majesties  Council,  and  that  it  will  be  a 
Reflection  on  the  Publick  Administration  to  continue 
me  in  that  Station.  Therefore,  2dly,  with  the  same 
justice,  they  pray  your  Excellency  to  proceed  to  Exe- 
cution, viz.  To  remove  me  from  your  Excellency’s 
Presence,  Her  Majesties  Council,  and  from  all  Places 
of  Trust  and  Profit  in  this  Province.  I hope  your  Ex- 
cellency will  please  to  Pardon  me,  if  I say,  This  Desire 
and  Prayer  of  the  said  Representatives  is  directly  con- 
trary to  the  Liberties  and  Properties  of  the  Subject,  to 
the  express  words  of  the  Great  Charter  of  England. 
The  Petition  of  Right,  the  many  other  subsequent 
goo4  Laws,  that  in  all  Reigns  have  been  Enacted  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Queens  Subjects,  and  only  to  be 
equalled  under  a French  or  Turkish  Government; 
therefore  the  most  Unjust  and  Unreasonable  that  ever 
were  made. 

For,  were  nothing  to  be  said  against  the  Form  and 
Substance  of  the  said  Indictment,  as  much  there  is; 
were  they  found  (as  a Grand  Inquest  ought  to  be)  by 
impartial  unprejudiced  Men,  the  contrary  of  which  is 
evident.  The  Chief  Men  being  known  to  be  my  pro- 
fessed Enemies,  because  I have  many  Demands  on 
them  in  Civil  Causes,  had  they  been  brought  into  the 
Court  in  the  usual  manner,  which  they  were  not,  but 
in  a Method  altogether  strange,  or  had  they  been  with- 
out any  manner  of  other  Objection.  Yet  even  then, 
your  Excellency  knows  they  are  only  a bare  Affirma- 
tion, to  which  the  Party  never  had  any  Opportunity  of 
being  heard,  much  less  making  any  Defense:  For 
which  reason  the  Law  directs,  That  the  Party  shall  be 
summoned,  not  to  be  judged,  much  less  condemned^ 
but  heard,  that  Time  and  Opportunity  may  be  given 
him  to  make  his  Defence  and  invalidate  the  Evidence, 
which  may  have  been  Wrongfully  or  Maliciously  given 
against  him.  But  this  bare  Accusation  shall,  by  the 
Desire  of  the  Addressers,  who  ought  to  be  the  most 


440 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


careful  Protectors  of  the  Liberties  of  the  Province,  as 
far  as  the  Law  directs,  nay,  to  make  new  Laws  to  help 
the  Defects  of  the  Former,  if  Occasion  requires  it,  be 
deemed  so  full  a Conviction  and  Proof,  that  Judgment 
and  Execution  shall  follow  upon  it. 

By  this  Rule,  My  Lord,  any  Gentleman  who  has  the 
honour  of  Serving  the  Queen,  or  any  other  Officer  of 
the  Government,  shall  be  Turned  out,  Ruined  in  his 
Reputation  (which  ought  to  be  dearer  to  him  than  his 
Life)  and  treated  as  a high  Criminal,  Convicted  with 
out  being  heard,  or  any  Proof  against  him,  whitest  his 
only  Crime  is,  that  a few  leading  Men,  tho’  his  Known 
Enemies,  have  Interest  enough  with  a Sheriff  to  be4  re- 
turned on  a Grand  Inquest.  But,  My  Lord,  the  matter 
of  this  Address  is  yet  more  extravagant;  for  all  Exam- 
inations of  the  Grand  Inquest  are  upon  Oath,  but 
much  of  what  I am  charged  with,  in  the  said  Address, 
is  only  upon  a bare  Relation  given,  without  the  Life  of 
an  Oath,  or  any  thing  else  to  oblige  the  Relator  to 
speak  the  Truth,  mannaged  by  one,  who  publickly  re- 
fuses to  give  any  assurance  of  his  Allegiance  to  the 
Queen,  or  Fidelity  to  the  established  Government. 
And  for  several  other  Charges,  they  do  not  by  the  Re- 
port of  the  Committee,  or  any  other  Proceedings  of 
the  Assembly,  appear  to  have  been  so  much  as  told  the 
said  Representatives,  but  must  be  things  framed  by 
the  Mannagers  of  the  Address. 

Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  Remember  what 
a learned  and  just  judge  has  left  as  a standing  Rule, 
viz.  That  all  Questions  and  Tryals,  where  Witnesses 
are  examined,  the  Examination  is  upon  Oath  by  the 
law,  by  all  our  Books,  Statutes  and  every  days  Prac- 
tice; Examination  without  an  Oath  is  but  loose  Dis- 
course. Yet  the  Promoters  of  the  said  Address, 
prevail  upon  the  Representatives,  to  take  upon  them- 
selves a much  greater  Power  than  the  House  of  Com- 
mons it  self  ever  claimed,  viz.  not  only  of  Examining, 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


441 


1709] 


but  Condemning,  and  praying  Execution.  Whereas 
the  House  of  Commons,  even  in  Impeachments  for 
High-Treason,  High  Crimes  and  Misdemeanors,  never 
pray  any  farther,  but  that  the  Person  Impeached  may 
be  put  to  answer  for  all  and  every  of  the  Premises,  and 
that  such  Proceedings,  Examinations,  Tryals  and 
Judgments  may  be  upon  every  of  them,  as  is  agreeable 
to  Law  and  Justice.  The  same  Judge  says,  in  another 
place,  Magna  Charta,  The  Petition  of  Right,  and  other 
good  Laws  of  the  Land,  ordain.  That  Mens  Tryals 
should  be  by  the  established  Laws,  and  not  otherwise; 
That  they  are  the  very  words  of  the  Petition  of  Right. 

In  pursuance  of  which,  Lords,  upon  Impeachments 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  are  tryed  before  the  House 
of  Lords,  and  if  the  said  House  of  Commons  find 
reason  to  accuse  a Commoner,  they  proceed  not  to  con- 
demning, and  addressing  that  he  may  be  removed 
from  all  his  Places  of  Trust  and  Profit,  but  that  direc 
tion  may  be  given,  that  he  be  prosecuted,  in  order  to 
his  acquitting  and  discharging  himself  of  the  Crimes 
laid  to  his  charge,  if  he  can,  or  else  of  being  legally 
convicted;  which  Prosecution  must  be  by  the  estab- 
lished Laws,  which  Laws  the  Act  of  the  twelf  and 
thirteenth  of  William  the  3d,  for  the  further  Limita- 
tion of  the  Crown,  and  better  securing  the  Rights 
and  Liberties  of  the  Subjects,  says,  are  the  Birth  Right 
of  the  People  of  England.  I shall  not  need  to  trouble 
your  Excellency  here  with  a relation  of  what  happened 
on  the  occasion  of  the  Impeachments  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  against  my  Lord  Orford,  my  Lord  Som- 
mers, my  Lord  Portland,  and  my  Lord  Hallifax,  and 
that  the  House  of  Lords  resolved  so,  and  did  Address 
his  late  Majesty,  that  his  Majesty  would  be  pleased 
not  to  pass  any  Censure  upon  their  Lordships,  until 
after  their  Lordships  should  be  tryed  upon  the  said 
Impeachments,  and  Judgment  be  given  according  to 
the  usage  of  Parliament  and  the  Laws  of  the  Land, 


442 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


because  your  Excellency  being  a member  of  that  Noble 
House,  and  present  at  most  of  those  Proceedings,  must 
be  better  acquainted  with  them,  than  I can,  and  will 
not  fail  of  making  due  Reflections  thereon. 

But  contrary  to  all  this,  the  said  Address  prays  your 
Excellency,  as  I said  before,  to  Condemn  me,  nay,  go 
on  to  Execution,  without  any  such  Examination,  be- 
fore any  Tryal  by  the  established  Laws,  without  any 
legal  Evidence,  before  being  heard,  and  all  in  a sum- 
mary way,  without  any  Judicial  Proceedings  whatso- 
ever. 

How  far  the  Advisers  of  the  Address,  by  this  Con- 
clusion, and  indeed  the  whole  Address  justly  entitles 
them  to  the  several  Crimes  of  Illegally  using  the 
Power  are  cloathed  with,  to  the  great  hurt  of  her  Ma- 
jesties Subjects,  giving  an  Evil  Example,  and  rendring 
Liberties  and  Properties  precarious,  and  at  the  dis- 
posal of  every  Assembly,  that  shall  make  Envy  and 
Spleen,  and  not  the  good  of  their  Country,  the  Rule  of 
their  Actions;  whether  they,  by  their  unpresidented 
ways,  lay  not  themselves  under  the  Necessity  of  publick 
Censure?  Whether  they  are  not  wanting  to  the  Coun- 
try they  represent,  when  they  thus  endeavour  to  make 
it  a Party  to  the  Injuries  they  do,  and  neglect  matters 
that  justly  concerns  the  whole  Province’s  Wellfair? 
Whether  they  break  not  through  all  Laws,  abuse  their 
Majesties  Subjects,  tho’  in  considerable  Offices? 
Whether  they  deserveiiot  Publick  Reproof,  that  thus 
use  the  Places  they  sit  in;  so  contrary  to  the  end  for 
which  they  are  sent  ? Whether  this  does  not  tend  to 
render  her  Majesties  Subjects  entirely  Depending  on 
the  Caprice  of  a Party  in  an  Assembly,  and  Create  in 
the  Minds  of  People  an  Aversion  to  her  Majesties  just 
and  mild  Government,  when  some  leading  Men  in  an 
Assembly  can  Displace  any  of  the  Council  at  their 
Pleasure,  without  being  allowed  to  speak  for  himself, 
or  having  the  Accusation  proved  against  him  ? Whether 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


443 


they  encourage  not  Grand  Inquests  to  Neglect  doing 
their  Duty,  and  discourage  Magistrates  from  tendring 
the  Oathes  to  the  Queen  and  Government,  prescribed 
by  sundry  Acts  of  Parliament?  And  lastly,  Whether 
they  do  not  defeat  her  Majesties  good  Intentions  to  her 
Quaker  Subjects,  and  render  her  Government  uneasy 
to  the  People  of  that  Perswasion,  when  they  neglect 
passing  an  Act  as  the  Queen  directs,  and  endeavour  to 
perswade  them,  That  they  may  act  contrary  to  Law? 
I say,  how  far  the  Advisers  to  this  Address  ingross  to 
themselves  these  several  Crimes,  with  which  they  un- 
justly endeavour  to  load  me,  I shall  submit  to  your 
Excellency s judgment,  and  that  of  all  judicious  Men. 

And  altho’  I might  now  close  my  Answer,  with  just- 
ly turning  their  Conclusions  upon  the  Mannagers  of 
this  Address,  by  retorting,  That  were  there  no  more 
to  be  said  against  them,  than  their  Attribtray,  Unjust 
and  Illegal  Conclusions;  I humbly  conceive  it  would 
justify  what  I could  desire  of  your  Excellency.  Per 
sons  of  that  Principle,  and  who  hold  those  Tenets,  be- 
ing unfit  to  represent  a Province,  it  might  be  believed, 
Your  Excellency  would  think  it  dangerous  for  the  pub - 
lick  Safety  to  Continue  them  in  their  Stateons,  and  I 
should  pray,  that  your  Excellency  would  remove  them 
from  your  presence,  their  places  in  the  Assembly,  and 
from  all  Places  of  Trust  and  Profit  in  this  Province.  I 
say  tho’  I might  justly  finish  with  this,  yet  I will  not  pre- 
sume so  far,  or  any  way  to  direct  or  prescribe  to  your 
Excellency,  much  less  follow  an  example,  which  I 
think  deserves  to  be  avoided;  neither  shall  I trouble 
your  Excellency  with  any  further  Remarks  on  the  un- 
presidented,  unwarrantable,  unjust  and  unreasonable 
Request  of  the  said  Address,  nor  take  upon  me  to  re- 
count the  Numberless  Pernicious  Inconveniences,  that 
must  necessarily  flow  from  such  proceedings,  since 
they  are  too  obvious  to  escape  the  meanest,  much  less 
your  Excellencys  observation. 


444 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


1709 


But  for  that  the  matters  and  things  in  the  said  Ad- 
dress contained,  are  either  no  Crimes  or  false  in  fact, 
or  miserably  mis-represented,  and  if  any  Faults  be 
committed,  tho’  I must  insist  upon  it,  that  not  any 
appears  to  your  Excellency,  by  the  said  Address,  they 
are  such  as  are  and  must  be  regularly  tryed  before  the 
Establisht  Courts,  according  to  the  known  Laws  of  her 
Majestys  Kingdoms,  and  the  Custom  of  said  Courts, 
and  cannot  be  examined  or  tryed  any  other  way;  and 
for  preventing  the  many  ill  and  unwarrantable  conse- 
quences that  must  needs  attend  such  uncommon  and 
illegal  ways  of  scandalizing  all  Officers,  but  especially 
those  that  have  the  honour  of  being  of  her  Majestys 
Council,  to  whom  some  Civility  and  Respect  is  or 
ought  to  be  done,  I humbly  pray  that  the  said  Address 
may  make  no  impression  upon  your  Excellency,  but 
be  utterly  disregarded,  and  that  your  Excellency  will 
be  pleased,  so  effectually  to  discountenance  such  new 
and  unpresidented  Methods  of  villifying  Officers  of  the 
Government,  particularly  those  whom  her  Majesty 
has  thought  fit  to  honour  with  a Place,  in  her  Majes- 
tys Council,  that  I may  in  some  sort  be  justified  there 
by,  and  receive  all  the  satisfaction  the  nature  of  such 
an  Address  will  bear,  and  to  your  Excellency  in  your 
Wisdom  and  Justice  shall  seem  meet;  which  is  hum- 
bly submitted  to  Your  Excellency’s  Judgment. 

Peter  Sonmans. 

Amboy  April  14.  1709. 


To  the  Honourable  Rich.  Ingoldesby  Esq ; 
Lieut.  Governour  and  Commander  in  Chief 
of  the  Provinces  of  New  Jersey,  New-York 
and  Territories  depending  thereon  in  Amer- 
ica &c. 

May  it  please  your  Honour , 

The  foregoing  Answer  being  prepared  and  written 


ADMINISTRATION  OP  LORD  LOVELACE. 


1709] 


445 


long  before  the  death  of  his  late  Excelleney,  the  Lord 
Lovelace,  I have  presumed  to  deliver  it  to  your 
Honour,  hi  the  same  stile  and  manner  as  it  was  first 
intended,  without  any  Alteration,  assuring  myself 
that  your  Honours  Judgment  will  easily  discern  the 
grounds  of  so  unwarrantable  and  unpresidented  a 
Proceeding,  and  your  Justice  give  me  such  ample  sat- 
isfaction as  the  nature  of  the  thing  will  bear.  All  which 
is  most  humbly  submitted  to  your  Honours  Judgment 


To  the  Honourable  House  of  Representatives 
of  Her  Majesties  Province  of  New-Jersey, 
now  met  and  assembled  in  General  Assem- 
bly at  Perth- Amboy. 

The  Petition  of  us  under- Subscribers,  summon’d  to 
serve  upon  the  Grand  Inquest  at  Her  Majestys  Court 
of  Sessions,  held  for  the  Comity  of  Middlesex  in  the 
said  Province,  the  Eight  Day  of  this  Instant  March. 
Humbly  Sheweth 

That  in  obedience  to  our  Duty,  and  to  manifest  our 
readiness  to  serve  her  Majesty  and  our  Country,  we 
did  all  appear  at  the  opening  of  the  said  Court,  and 
answer  each  of  us  to  our  respective  names,  as  we  were 
called,  and  did  render  ourselves  to  take  the  Accustomed 
Oaths,  which  have  always  been  given  to  Grand 
Jurys;  but  before  we  were  permitted  to  take  the  said 
Oaths,  Peter  Sonmans,  Esq;  President  of  the  said 
Court,  would  know  (as  he  said  ) whether  we  had  taken 
some  other  Oaths,  which  he  desired  Jeremiah  Bass,  Esq 


by 


Amboy  June  11 
1709 


Your  Honours 

Most  Obedient  humble  Servant, 
Peter  Sonmans. 


An  Appendix. 


446 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 

Secretary  of  said  Province  to  bring,  but  Mr  Bass  refus- 
ing, he  the  said  Mr  Sonmans  adjourned  the  Court  till 
three  of  the  Clock  in  the  after  noon.  % 

We  you r Petitioners  did  continue  our  attendance  in 
expectation  of  the  Courts  sitting  till  after  sun  set,  and 
within  night,  when  we  were  under  a necessity  of  re- 
pairing to  our  respective  Homes,  where  not  only  the 
wants  of  our  Families  obliged  us.  hut  also  the  Town 
being  so  crowded  we  could  obtain  no  Lodging.  After 
the  said  Mr  Sonmans  knew  that  your  Petitioners  were 
dispersed,  he  called  the  Court  by  candle  light,  and  as 
we  are  informed,  hath  fined  each  of  your  Petitioners 
in  the  sum  of  Thirteen  Shillings  and  four  pence.  Your 
Petitioners  do  further  beg  leave  to  inform  this  Hon- 
ourable House.  That  as  we  are  credibly  informed  the 
said  Mr.  Sonmans  stands  indicted  at  the  last  Supream 
Court  of  this  Province  for  the  Crimes  of  Perjury  and 
Adultery,  from  whence  we  have  reason  to  conjecture, 
that  he  being  conscious  of  his  own  Guilt,  and  being  in 
terrour  of  more  Indictments,  he  took  the  methods 
above  said  to  frustrate  the  Grand  Inquest  proceeding, 
as  in  Justice  they  ought. 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray,  this  hon- 
ourable house  will  take  the  Premises  into  considera- 
tion, and  to  take  such  Methods  as  in  your  wisdom 
shall  think  fit.  for  Relief  of  this  County  in  General, 
and  your  Petitioners  in  particular,  from  such  unpresi- 
dented  Procedures  and  unjust  Fines;  and  as  in  duty 
bound  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray. 

Miles  Foster  Peter  Bargoun  David  Denham 
Samuel  Dolte  Jerimiah  Reader  John  Heard 
John  Ormston  George  Willocks  John  Ilslee 
Matthew  More  John  Pike  junier  Jonathon  Ilslee 
Isaac  Smalley  John  Molleson  Thomas  Blumfield. 
J oseph  Fit  zra n dolph 
A True  Coppy, 

J.  Penhorx. 


1709] 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


447 


The  Report  of  the  Committee  upon  to  said  Pe- 
tition, viz. 

Die  Marcurij  A.  M.  16  March,  1708.  [9?] 

The  Foreman  of  the  Grand  Jury,  on  behalf  of  him- 
self and  the  rest  made  it  appear  to  this  Committee, 
that  the  said  Jurors  gave  their  attendance,  according 
as  specified  in  said  Petition;  and  that  the  said  Peter 
Sonmans,  Esq:  stands  indicted  as  is  declared  in  said 
Petition  as  also,  divers  other  things  are  alledged 
against  him  to  this  Committee,  viz.  Jacob  Arents 
declared  that  the  said  Peter  Sonmans  imployed  or 
advised  him  to  arrest  John  Barclay  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  which  he  did  accordingly. 

John  Brown  declared  That  the  said  Sonmans  had 
taken  away  his  Horse  without  shewing  him  any  reason 
for  it,  and  that  he  had  commenced  an  Action  against 
him  for  said  Horse. 

William  Frost,  Constable,  Saitli,  Peter  Sonmans  had 
ordered  him  to  bring  Robert  Mellin  before  him  upon 
John  Reeves  complaining  of  fellony  against  said  Mellin 
which  afterwards,  at  the  desire  of  said  Mellin,  John 
Brown  carried  him  over  to  Statten  Island,  at  which 
Sonmans  was  displeased  and  Committed  the  said 
Brown  into  the  Sheriffs  Custody,  where  he  remained 
until  Bailed  out,  altho’  Reeves  afterwards  declared, 
that  the  said  Mellin  had  not  stole  the  Coat,  before  pre- 
tended, but  detained  it  for  his  pay. 

Adam  Hudey  [Hude?],  Sheriff,  saith,  That  Sonmans 
told  him,  That  complaint  was  made  to  him  against 
Mellin,  on  which  complaint  he  would  commit  him  into 
his  Custody,  but  the  next  day  he  committed  John 
Brown,  which  after  some  time  he  admitted  to  be  bailed 
out,  at  which  said  Sonmans  was  very  Angry,  and  said 
lie  would  go  to  York  to  my  Lord,  and  throw  up  his 
Commission,  and  desire  my  Lord  to  send  Soulders  to 


448  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

rule  them,  And  further  saith.  That  upon  Tryal  of  John 
Harrison  at  Supream  Court  at  Burlington,  in  a cause 
depending  between  said  Sonmans  and  Harrison,  Son- 
mans  told  him,  that  he  had  need  to  summons  a good 
Jury;  and  that  John  Harrison  being  Captain,  there 
was  none  on  their  side  Boundbrook  fit  to  serve,  hut  he 
could  advise  him  of  a Jury  of  good  men,  all  in  his  way 
which  he  accordingly  gave  him  a List  of  ten  or  eleven 
men,  which  were  all  Dutchmen. 

Thomas  Gordon  saith,  Michiel  Van  Veighty  desired 
him  take  out  a Writ  against  Alexander  Walker,  and 
sign  it  in  his  name,  which  he  did;  but  afterwards  it 
was  disallowed  by  Sonmans,  because  it  was  not  Michael 
Van  Veighty s handwritting,  altho’  Michael  Van 
Veighty  owned  it  to  be  his  order  in  open  Court,  yet  it 
was  thrown  out;  notwithstanding  said  Sonmans  signed 
a bill  of  Costs  of  three  Pounds  seventeen  Shillings 
and  ten  pence;  and  after  allowed  another  Action  in 
the  like  case. 

Application  being  made  to  Mr.  Sonmans  by  Thomas 
Gorden,  on  behalf  of  a poor  sickly  boy  called  John 
Loveridge,  that  one  Alexander  Walker  went  on  the 
Sabbath  day  with  an  Ax  to  him,  and  threatnd  to  wash 
his  hands  in  the  boys  blood.  Ml  Sonmans  acknowledged 
it  was  a notorious  violation  of  the  Peace,  hut  said  he 
had  not  time,  and  refused  to  meddle  in  it. 

John  Brown  declares,  that  Mr.  Sonmans  has  turned 
out  Quakers  from  serving  upon  Jurys,  upon  account 
of  their  Perswasion. 

A True  Coppy, 

J.  PlNHORN. 


To  his  Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  Baron 
of  Hurly,  Captain  Generali  and  Governour 
in  Chief  of  the  Provinces  New-Jersey, 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


449 


1709] 


New  York  and  Territories  depending  there- 
on in  America,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the 
same. 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Peter  Sonmans. 

Shelve  th 

That  divers  of  the  Free  holders  of  this  Country  be- 
ing duly  Summoned  to  attend,  the  Court  of  General 
Sessions  held  at  Amboy  on  the  eight  Instant,  to  serve 
upon  the  grand  Inquest,  for  this  & the  County  of 
Somerset,  did  appear  at  said  Court,  and  answered  to 
their  Names  as  they  were  called. 

That  George  Willocks  being  impannelled  as  Fore- 
man of  the  said  Inquest,  coming  to  he  sworn,  was 
asked  by  your  Petitioner  whether  he  had  taken  the 
Oaths  to  the  Queen  appointed  by  sundry  Acts  of  Par- 
liament' to  which  Mr.  Willocks  gave  no  direct  answer, 
but  objected  against  the  Authority  of  the  said  Court 
of  Sessions  to  administer  said  Oath. 

That  the  said  Court  of  Sessions  being  very  well  as- 
sured of  their  Authority  to  administer  said  Oaths,  and 
informed,  that  said  Willocks  had  never  taken  them, 
ordered  their  Clerk  to  get  the  Rolls,  in  which  said 
Oaths  were  contained,  in  order  to  tender  them  to  said 
Willocks;  but  said  Willocks  then  positively  declared, 
if  the  Rolls  were  there,  he  would  not  take  them,  for 
that  he  would  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  in  vain ; 
and  that  he  having  attended  and  answered  to  his 
Name,  should  or  did  not  think  himself  obliged  to  at- 
tend said  Court  any  longer,  or  words  to  that  effect. 

The  Clerk  not  having  said  Rolls,  the  said  Court  of 
Sessions  prayed  the  Secretary  to  lend  them  the  Rolls 
he  had,  but  the  Secretary  making  some  objections 
thereto,  the  said  Court  adjourned  to  three  a Clock  in 
29 


450  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 

the  afternoon,  in  order  to  procure  the  old  Rolls  be- 
longing to  this  County,  or  new  ones. 

That  the  said  old  Roll  not  being  to  be  found,  your 
Petitioner  immediately  employed  the  Door-Keeper  of 
the  Council  to  prepare  new  ones,  which  notwithstand- 
ing the  utmost  diligence,  could  not  be  in  a readiness 
until  about  six  in  the  evening. 

That  immediately  after  the  said  Rolls  'were  tran- 
scribed, the  said  Court  opened  again,  and  the  said  per- 
sons summon’d  to  attend,  as  aforesaid,  were  again  called 
upon,  but  not  one  attending  or  answering  their  Names, 
the  said  Court  resolved  not  to  proceed  (as  indeed  they 
ought  to  have  done)  to  fine  said  Defaulters,  because 
they  would  not  be  deemed  too  serve  [severe?,]  but  ad- 
journed until  the  next  day  at  nine  a Clock  in  the 
morning. 

That  the  said  Court  opened  again,  according  to  their 
adjournment,  and  called  over  the  Pannel,  but  only  one 
answered  said  Call,  altho  divers  were  above  the  Court : 
whereupon  said  Court  seeing  their  Authority  opposed 
in  a very  high  degree,  proceeded  to  fine  the  said  De- 
faulters according  to  Law. 

That  notwithstanding  the  great  lenity  of  said  Court, 
the  said  George  Willocks  with  fifteen  of  the  said  De- 
faulters, have  presented  a very  Scurrelous,  Malicious 
and  Scandalous  Petition  against  your  Petitioner,  to  the 
House  of  Representatives,  a Copy  of  which  is  here- 
unto annexed:  the  allegations  of  which  are  not  only 
false  in  fact  but  likewise  very  opprobrious  and  inju- 
rious to  your  Petitioner,  who  could  not  in  duty  act 
otherwise  then  he  has  done. 

That  your  Petitioner  not  being  conscious  of  any 
guilt,  is  not  afraid  of  any  Indictments,  except  such 
as  meer  Malice  or  Envy,  without  any  ground  or  proof, 
where  party s are  Judges,  can  suggest,  of  which  nature 
those  are  in  the  Petition  mentioned,  and  writ  by  the 
own  hands  of  said  Willocks,  tho’  not  of  that  Inquest: 
That  such  Proceedings  and  Affronts  are  wholly  un- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  451 

presidented,  highly  dishonouring  to  Her  Majestys 
Government,  tending  to  the  great  encouragement  of 
Non- Jurors  subverting  the  very  being  and  Authority 
of  Courts,  and  discouragement  of  the  Judges  and 
Justices  of  the  respective  Courts  from  doing  their 
duty.  Your  Petitioner  therefore  humbly  prays, 

That  your  Excellency  and  the  Honourable  Council 
will  be  pleased  to  put  an  effectual  stop  to  such  se- 
ditious Practices,  and  order  such  suitable  satisfaction 
to  your  Petitioner,  and  give  such  further  directions 
as  your  Excellency  in  your  great  Wisdom  shall 
judg  proper  and  necessary 

And  your  Petitioner  shall  ever  Pray. 


Jacob  Arents  of  Amboy,  Practiser  of  Physick, 
Aged  about  36  years,  being  sworn  upon  the  holy  Evan- 
gelist of  Almighty  God,  maketh  Oath,  that  That  on 
or  about  the  15th  of  March  last,  he  this  deponent  was 
twice  summon’d  to  attend  a*  Committee  of  the  House 
of  Represntatives  by  one  Cutler,  who,  this  Deponent 
was  informed,  and  believes,  was  Door-Keeper  to  the 
said  House,  and  told  this  Deponent,  that  he  w^as 
commanded  by  the  Committee  to  fetch  him.  Where- 
upon this  Deponent  attended  the  Committee,  and  vTas 
there  examined  by  George  Willocks  (who  this  depo- 
nent is  informed,  and  verily  believes,  was  not  one  of 
the  Representatives,  but  a Petitioner  to  the  Commit- 
tee) touching  the  taking  of  John  Barclay,  whom 
this  Deponent  saith.  he  took  on  or  about  the  23d 
day  of  May,  1708.  by  virtue  of  a Commission  of  Re- 
bellion issued  out  of  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  de- 
livered to  him  by  Peter  Sonmans  Esq;  under  the  Seal 
of  the  Province,  in  which  this  deponent  was  named 
the  first  Commissioner. 

And  this  deponent  further  saith.  That  some  time  in 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


4*2 


[1709 


the  said  Month  of  May,  he  this  deponent  heard  one 
John  Reeves  make  a Complaint  to  Mr.  Sonmans,  That 
one  Mellin,  a Taylor  (to  whom  and  his  wife)  Reeves 
had  let  part  of  his  house,  had  left  his  house  when  he 
was  gone  out,  and  taken  with  them  a Coat  which  the 
Taylor  had  made  for  Reeves,  and  he  had  worn  several 
times;  That  he  mist  several  other  things  out  of  his 
house,  to  wit,  some  Rum,  wool  and  working  Tools, 
which  he  suspected  Mellin  and  his  wife  might  have 
taken,  whereupon  prayed  Ml  Sonmans  to  grant  him  a 
warrant  to  bring  Mellin  before  him,  which  Mr.  Son- 
mans  having  granted,  Mellin  was  brought  before  him, 
who  examined  him  upon  Reeves  Complaint.  That 
Millin  contest  the  taking  of  the  Coat  when  Reeves  was 
from  home,  and  that  Reeves  had  several  times  worn 
it.  That  some  Witnesses,  particularly  one  Elizabeth 
Sharp  gave  some  evidence  relating  to  Wool,  which 
Reeves  said  he  missed  and  was  brought  to  spin,  or 
work  up  some  other  way,  by  Mellins  wife  to  one  Mary 
Arents;  but  that  Mellin  said  he  knew  nothing  of  that 
matter.  That  Mr.  Sonmans  told  Mellin  that  he  must 
commit  him,  but  while  Mr.  Sonmans  was  writing  the 
mittimus,  Mellin  was  going  away,  which  being  told 
Mr.  Sonmans,  he  called  to  the  Constable  that  he  should 
take  care  of  Mellin,  being  committed  to  his  charge,  or 
words  to  that  effect  . But  that  the  Constable  neverthe- 
less .suffered  Mellin  to  escape,  and  that  one  John  Brown 
carried  him  to  Statten  Island,  whereupon  Mr.  Sonmans 
issued  out  a warrant  to  bring  Brown  before  him,  hut 
that  Brown  would  make  little  answer  to  the  several 
Questions  put  to  him  about  his  conveying  Mellin  away. 
That  Mr  Sonmans  told  Brown  that  he  must  find  surety 
to  appear,  and  answer  it  the  next  Quarter  Sessions, 
which  Brown  refused,  and  putting  his  Arms  on  his 
side,  asked  some  of  the  company  for  a Horse,  and  said, 
he  would  ride  to  Goal  in  state. 

That  the  next  day  this  Deponent  rid  with  Mr.  Son- 


1709]  ADMfNISTRATIOX  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  453 

mans  to  Woodbridge,  that  at  the  entrance  into  the 
Town,  they  were  met  by  the  Constable  and  John 
Brown,  upon  which  Mr.  Sonmans  commanded  the 
Constable  several  times  to  bring  Brown  hack  into 
the  Town,  before  him,  but  that  the  Constable  did  not 
do  it.  That  this  Deponent  with  Mr.  Sonmans,  went  to 
the  Sheriff,  whom  Sonmans  asked,  how  he  came  to 
Bail  Brown?  That  the  Sheriff  said,  he  had  three  Men 
bound  in  One  Thousand  Pounds,  a piece  for  Brown’s 
appearance  when  he  should  demand  him.  Upon  which 
. Mr.  Sonmans  advised  the  Sheriff  to  send  for  him  again 
immediately,  for  that  he  could  not  answer  what  he 
had  done,  and  related  to  him  how  disobedient  the  Con- 
stable had  been,  of  which  Mr.  Sonmans  said,  he  would 
complain  to  My  Lord,  and  pray  that  he  might  be  pros- 
ecuted for  it.  That  this  Deponent  afterwards  heard 
that  Brown  remained  in  the  Sheriffs  Custody  until  he 
was  bailed  out. 

And  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  on  or  about 
the  9th  of  January  last  this  deponant  was  at  dinner 
with  Mr.  Sonmans  about  three  of  the  Clock  in  the  af- 
ternoon, being  to  go  with  Mr.  Sonmans  to  visit  a sick 
person  as  soon  as  they  should  rise  from  the  Table,  that 
just  before  Dinner  was  over,  Mr.  Gorden  came  and 
told  Mr.  Sonmans  that  he  had  heard  that  Alexander 
Walker  had  beat  his  wife,  and  threatned  or  attempted 
to  kill  his  Wife’s  son,  one  John  Loveridge,  praying 
that  Walker  might  be  bound  to  the  Peace.  Mr. 
Sonmans  told  him,  that  he  was  sorry  to  hear  it,  but 
that  he  was  just  going  out  of  Town,  should  be  back  at 
night,  thererefore  desired  Mr.  Gorden  to  apply  to 
some  other  Justice,  if  the  matter  required  haste.  That 
Mr.  Sonmans  and  this  Deponent  went  out  of  Town 
immediately  after,  returned  in  the  evening,  and  that 
Mr.  Sonmans  went  out  of  Town  again  next  morning 
about  ten ; but  that  Mr  Gorden  nor  any  other  made 
any  application  upon  that  Subject  after  the  first  to 


454 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  [1709 


Mr.  Son  mans,  that  this  Deponent  ever  heard  of,  tho’ 
he  was  with  Mr.  Sonmans  all  the  while.  And  further 
this  Deponent  saith  not. 

Jurat  7 Die  Junij,  1708  [9?] 

Coram  me,  J.  Arents. 

Richard  Townley. 


John  Bishop,  Clerk  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of 
Middlesex  and  Somerset,  aged  about  Sixty  years,  being  . 
Sworn  upon  the  Holy  evangelist  of  Almighty  God, 
maketh  Oath,  That  the  Free-holders  summon’d  to 
serve  upon  the  Grand  Inquest  at  Court  of  General 
Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  held  for  the  said  County 
at  Amboy  on  the  eighth  of  March  last,  did  all  answer 
to  their  names  as  they  were  called,  That  George  Wil- 
locks  being  impannneled  as  Fore-  man,  before  he  took 
the  Oath  appointed  for  that  end,  was  asked  by  Peter 
Son  mans,  Esq;  President  of  the  Sessions,  whether  he  had 
taken  the  Oaths  to  the  Queen  appointed  by  sundry  Acts 
of  Parliament,  in  the  room  of  the  Oath  of  Allegance 
and  Supremacy?  To  which  Mr.  Willocks  made  little 
answer  but  objected  against  the  Authority  of  the 
Court  to  Administer  said  Oaths.  That  the  Court  Or- 
dered this  Deponent  to  get  the  Parchment  Rolls  in 
which  the  Oaths  were  contained,  in  order  to  tender 
them  to  him.  That  M.  Willocks  declared  his  doubt 
whether  he  would  take  the  said  Oaths,  if  the  Rolls 
were  there;  and  said,  That  having  attended  and  an- 
swered to  his  name  he  should  not,  or  did  not  think  him- 
self obliged  to  attend  the  Court  any  longer,  or  words 
to  that  effect.  That  this  Deponent  not  having  the 
Rolls  the  Secretary  was  desired  to  lend  his,  but  the 
Secretary  making  some  objections  to  that,  the  Court 
adjourned  to  three  of  the  Clock  in  the  after-noon,  to 
procure  the  Rolls  aforesaid;  but  that  notwithstanding 


1709]  administration  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


455 


the  utmost  diligence,  they  could  not  be  got  ready  till 
about  six  of  the  Clock  in  the  evening.  That  imme- 
diately after  the  Rolls  were  transcribed,  the  Court 
open’d  again,  but  not  one  answered  to  their  names  of 
all  those  that  were  impanneled  upon  the  Grand  In 
quest,  That  the  Court  did  not  proceed  to  fine  the  de- 
faulters, but  immediately  adjourned  to  nine  the  next 
morning.  At  which  time  the  Court  being  again 
open’d,  the  Pannel  was  again  called  over,  and  but  one 
answered  to  his  name,  tho’  several  lived  in  Town  (and 
as  this  Deponant  has  been  credibly  informed,  and  ver- 
ily believes)  were  about  the  Court  the  night  before, 
and  that  morning  looking  in  at  the  window,  where- 
upon the  Court  fined  each  of  the  defaulters  thirteen 
shillings  and  four  pence.  That  a new  Precept  was  im- 
mediately given  to  the  Sheriff  to  summons  another 
grand  Inquest,  and  that  some  hours  after  the  Sheriff 
returned  the  Precept,  that  he  could  not  find  men  enough 
to  impannel.  That  no  other  Oaths  but  those  before 
mentioned  were  offered  the  said  Willocks. 

And  this  Deponent  further  saith,  That  on  or  about 
the  25th  day  of  May  last,  the  above  mentioned  Oaths 
were  regularly  tended  to  Mr.  Willocks  by  Mr.  Son 
mans  and  John  Drake,  two  of  Her  Majesty’s  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  said  Countys,  at  Amboy  aforesaid 
in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  but  that  he  refused  to 
take  them  objecting  against  the  Authority  of  two  Jus- 
tices to  Administer  the  same,  altho’  he  well  knew  that 
Mr.  Sonmans  was  of  the  Quorum,  which  this  Depo- 
nent also  recorded  among  the  Minits  of  the  said  Court. 

And  this  Deponant  further  saith,  That  in  a suit  de- 
pending in  the  Court  of  Pleas  before  Mr.  Sonmans  be- 
tween Michiel  Van  Veighten,  Plaintiff,  and  Alexan- 
der Walker,  Defendant,  the  Attorney  General  moved 
for  the  Defendant,  that  the  Writ  might  abate,  be- 
cause it  bore  Test  in  the  vacation,  which  exception  was 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


456 


[1709 


allowed  by  Mr.  Sonorans,  and  the  Writ  ordered  to 
abate.  And  further  this  deponant  saith  not. 

Jurat  7 Die  Junij,  1709.  John  Bishop.  CL 

Comm  me.  Daniel  Cox. 


John  Pinhom,  Esq:  one  of  the  Clerks  in  the  Court 
of  Chancery  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  and  Clerk 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  aged  about  27  years, 
being  Sworn  upon  the  holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 
God,  maketh  Oath,  That  sometime  in  the  month  of 
May,  in  the  sixth  Year  of  the  Reign  of  her  present 
Majesty,  Annoq;  Domini,  1707,  this  Deponent  as 
Clerk,  in  the  Court  aforesaid,  filed  a Bill  against  John 
Barclay  at  the  suit  of  Peter  Sonmans.  Esq.  That  the 
time  usually  allowed  by  the  said  Court  to  answer  be- 
ing elapsed,  he  this  Deponent  made  out  an  attachment 
against  the  said  Barclay  for  his  Contempt,  but  before 
he  was  taken  upon  that  Writ,  the  said  Barclay  on  or 
about  the  7th  day  of  November,  in  the  same  Year  by 
his  Counsel  moved  the  said  Court  for  a months  time 
to  answer  the  said  Bill,  as  this  Deponant  is  informed 
by  the  Register  of  said  Court,  which  being  granted, 
and  time  also  being  spent,  this  Deponant  made  out  an- 
other Attachment  against  said  Barclay,  and  so  run 
throw  the  whole  course  of  the  Court.  The  said  Bar- 
clay not  answering  the  Bill  aforesaid,  the  Deponant 
made  out  and  sealed  a Writ  of  Commission  of  Reb- 
bellion  against  him.  on  or  about  the  sixteenth  of  May, 
in  the  Seventh  year  of  her  present  Majestys  Reign 
Annoq;  Domini,  1708,  directed  to  Jacob  Arents  and 
others,  by  virtue  of  which  Arents  took  him,  and 
brought  him  into  the  said  Court,  on  or  about  the  third 
day  of  June,  in  the  same  year,  by  which  Court  he 
was  committed  in  Salva  Arcta  Custodia,  and  remained 
so  imprison'd  until  the  said  Court,  on  or  about  the 
twelf  day  of  March  last,  commanded  this  Deponent  to 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


45? 


1709] 


make  out  a Commission  to  be  sealed,  and  was  sealed, 
directed  to  John  Wells  and  another,  to  bring  Barclay 
into  Court,  by  virtue  of  which  Commission,  Wells 
took  him  out  of  his  Confinement,  and  brought  him 
into  the  said  Court,  which  he  again  moved  by  Petition 
on  or  about  the  18th  of  March  last  for  further  time  to 
answer,  which  was  granted.  And  that  the  said  Bar- 
clay has  been  in  perfect  liberty  and  freedom  ever  since, 
altho  he  hath  not  to  this  day  cleared  his  Contempt,  nor 
hath  this  Deponent  had  any  notice  that  the  said  Bar- 
clay hath  fyled  his  answer  to  the  said  Bill. 

And  this  Deponent  further  saith,  That  George  Wil- 
locks  is  not  one  of  the  Representatives  of  this  Prov- 
ince, but  on  or  about  the  tenth  day  of  March  last, 
Petitioned  the  said  House,  with  fifteen  others,  that 
were  summoned  to  serve  on  the  grand  Inquest  at  the 
Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  held 
for  the  Countys  of  Middlesex  and  Somerset  at  Amboy 
the  8th  of  March  last,  which  Petition  was  read  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  said  Province,  and 
committed  to  a Committee,  from  which  Mr.  Royse 
made  a Report  to  the  said  House;  upon  which  an  Ad- 
dress, was  agreed  by  the  said  House  to  be  made  to  my 
Lord  Lovelace,  late  Governour;  but  that  divers  of  the 
Representatives  were  utterly  against  the  said  Address, 
and  all  the  Proceedings  relating  thereto,  saying,  it  was 
only  Malice  and  Private  Resentment  of  the  said  Wil- 
locks  and  some  of  the  leading  Members  of  the  said 
House,  and  that  not  any  part  of  it  appeared  or  was 
Proved.  And  further  this  Deponant  saith  not. 

Jurat  10  Junij,  1709.  J.  Pinhorn 

Corem  me, 

Richard  Townley. 


Adam  Hude,  High-Sheriff  of  the  Countys  of  Middle- 
sex and  Summerset,  aged  about  47  years,  maketh  Oath, 
being  Sworn  upon  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 


458 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE. 


[1709 


God,  That  he  this  Deponent  had  a Writ  delivered  to 
him  to  arrest  Peter  Sonmans,  Esq;  at  the  Suit  of  John 
Brown,  in  the  Supream  Court,  which  Writ  was  not  de- 
livered to  him  until  some  time  in  November  last,  long 
after  Brown  was  bailed  out  of  his  Custody  upon  the 
business  of  carrying  over  Robert  Mellin  to  Statten 
Island.  That  he  arrested  Mr.  Sonmans  soon  after  he 
received  the  Writ.  That  he  heard  and  verily  believes 
the  cause  of  Action  was  about  a Horse  which  Brown 
alledg’d  Mr.  Sonmans  had  taken  from  him. 

And  this  Deponent  further  saith,  That  John  Royce 
and  Capt.  John  Harrison,  who  are  now  two  of  the 
Representatives,  together  with  Judadiah  Higgins,  were 
upon  the  Grand  Inquest  at  the  Supream  Court  last 
November.  And  that  in  the  Moneth  of  March  last, 
this  Deponent  was  summoned  to  attend  a Committee 
of  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  he  attended, 
but  should  not  have  gone,  if  he  had  not  been  sum- 
moned. That  he  was  there  examined  * at  the  request 
of  Geo.  Willocks  about  a Commitment  of  Rob.  Mellon, 
John  Brown,  and  several  other  things.  That  John 
Royce  was  Fore-man  of  the  Grand  Inquest  at  the 
Court  before  mentioned.  And  further  this  Deponeth 
saith  not. 

Jurat  8 Die  Junij,  1709.  Adam  Hude 

Coram  me, 

William  Pinhorn. 


To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come,  or  may 
concern,  Greeting. 

On  Search  of  the  Docquet  of  Causes  depending  in 
the  Supream  Court  of  her  Majesty s Province  of  New-  - 
Jersey,  I find  a Writ  was  issued  out  that  bore  Test 
in  May  Term,  1708.  of  one  John  Brown  against  Peter 
Sonmans,  but  was  not  sealed  in  the  Office  till  Septem- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LORD  LOVELACE.  459 

ber  1708.  and  returned  in  November,  1708.  and  that 
some  considerable  time  before  the  sealing  of  the  said 
Writ  land  Mr  John  White,  had,  on  the  first  application 
made  to  us,  admitted  the  said  John  Brown  to  bail,  and 
certified  the  Recognizance  into  the  Supream  Court, 
And  that  said  Brown  was  committed  by  the  said  Peter 
Sonmans  for  assisting  one  Mellin,  who  was  accused  of 
Fellony,  to  make  his  escape. 

I do  also  further  Certifie,  That  I bavled  the  said 
Brown  without  ever  acquainting  his  Excellency  the 
Lord  Cornbury  with  the  same,  nor  know  I of  any  ap- 
plication made  to  him  on  this  matter. 

I do  also  Certify,  That  Peter  Sonmans  was  admitted 
and  took  his  place  as  one  of  her  Majestys  Council  for 
the  Province  of  New- Jersey,  the  8th  of  August,  1708, 
at  Burlington. 

I do  also  Certifie,  That  John  Royce  was  Fore-man 
of  that  Grand  Jury  that  found  the  two  Indictments 
of  Perjury  and  Adultery  against  the  said  Peter  Son- 
mans  in  November,  1708.  and  that  the  said  Jury  con- 
sisted of  Persons  whose  Habitations  were  some  in  the 
County  of  Middlesex,  and  others  in  the  County  of 
Somerset.  That  Royce  had  formerly  been  Deputy 
Secretary  to  Jer.  Bass,  Esq;  but  had  been  some  time 
afore  turned  out  by  him.  That  the  said  Peter  Son- 
mans  had  at  the  same  time  several  considerable  Causes 
depending  in  the  same  Court  against  Capt.  John  Har- 
rison, Judadiah  Higgins  and  the  said  Royce,  who  were 
all  on  the  said  Grand  Jury. 

That  the  Indictment  for  Perjury  against  the  said 
Peter  Sonmans,  Esq;  was  grounded  on  an  Affidavit 
made  by  the  said  Sonmans  before  Coll.  Daniel  Cox, 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  said  Court  at  Burlington,  in 
the  County  of  Burlington,  of  several  Sums  of  Money 
by  the  said  Sonmans  expended,  and  which  he  desired 
allowance  of,  as  Costs  in  the  Cause. 

That  the  said  Sonmans  had  not  any  V enire’s  sealed 


460  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

in  the  Office,  for  any  Causes  to  be  tryed  at  Burlington, 
by  a Middlesex  Jury,  nor  any  Causes  tryed  that  Term. 
That  the  Cause  Dom  Regine  ver.  John  Harrison  came 
to  Tryal  at  the  Supream  Court  held  at  Burlington  for 
the  Province  of  New- Jersey,  the  4th,  5th,  6th.  7th  and 
Sth  of  May  1708.  excepting  a Cause  against  Mr.  For- 
ster, which  he  recovered  that  Term, 

In  Testimony  whereof  I Jeremiah  Bass,  Esq.  Secre- 
tary of  her  Majestys  Province  of  New  Jersey,  and 
Prothonetary  of  the  said  Supream  Court,  have  here- 
unto set  my  Hand  this  9th  day  of  June,  1709. 

Jer  Basse  Secry. 

FINIS. 


Let  the  answer  of  Peter  Sonmans,  Esq,  to  the  Ad- 
dress of  the  General  Assembly  of  New-Jersey,  to  his 
Excellency  John  Lord  Lovelace,  late  Governour  of 
this  Province,  with  the  Report,  Petitions,  Certificates 
and  Affidavits,  &c.  he  Printed. 1 And  for  your  so  do- 
ing this  shall  be  your  Warraut,  Given  under  my  Hand 
this  14th  day  of  June,  1709. 

Richard  Ingoldesby. 


Letter  from  Lieutenant  Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade , about  Neiv  Jersey  affairs. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1.  C.  57.] 

Letter  from  Col.  Ingoldesby  Lieu1  Govf  of  New 
Jersey,  Rec’ed  20^  August  1709 

Perth  Amboy  the  16th  June  1709 

My  Lords. 

I doe  myself e the  honour  to  Remind  your  Lordships 
that  though  I have  already  Severall  times  during  the 


Printed  by  William  Bradford,  at  the  Sign  of  the  Bible  in  New-York,  1709. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGO*LDESBY.  461 

Gouernment  of  My  Lord  Cornbury  writ  to  Your 
Lord1’8  and  that  honorable  board  yet  I have  not  been 
favored  with  one  Line  in  anerswer  1 presume  your 
Lordships  may  already  have  Receiued  notice  of  the 
death  of  my  Lord  Lovelace  late  Governor  of  this  Prov- 
ince & from  his  Lady  the  minutes  of  all  that  passed 
either  in  Councill  or  Assembly  with  other  publiq  trans- 
actions during  his  Gouernment  Since  the  Secretary 
has  Ashured  us  that  as  to  what  relates  to  his  Office  and 
duty  he  hath  deliuered  two  Coppys  to  his  Lordship  to 
be  transmitted  home  to  Your  Lordships:  Togeather 
with  thes  Your  Lord  ships  will  Receiue  an  accompt  of 
what  passed  in  both  Gouernments  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey  how  I had  the  Administration  thereof  and 
hope  nothing  will  be  found  wanting  that  Your  Lord- 
ships  expect  to  haue  retained  by  me  although  I can- 
not but  Acquaint  Your  Lordships  that  the  multiplicity 
of  buseness  ocasioned  by  my  Lord  Lovelaces  comeing 
into  the  Gouernment  death  and  Arivall  of  Coll  Nic- 
holson and  Coll  Vetch  with  her  Majestys  Commands 
to  Call  an  Assembly  In  each  Province  & to  giue  them 
all  possible  Assistance  in  that  Great  and  Glorious  de- 
sign has  rendred  it  very  dificult  to  comply  with  her 
Majestys  instructions  so  punctually  as  I might  other- 
wise haue  done  & may  Excuse  me  to  Your  Lordships 
in  case  there  should  happen  to  be  anything  omitted 
the  Present  state  of  the  Gouernment  your  Lordships 
will  be  fully  acquainted  with  by  the  Papers  you  will 
Receiue  with  this  letter  and  your  wisdomes  will  easily 
discerne  the  vn  happy  causes  of  the  non  complyance 
of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  with  her  Majestys 
Comands  in  the  Supplying  the  expected  Qvotasof  Men 
& money  for  the  reduction  of  Canada  to  providde  partly 
from  the  admision  of  Quakers  into  the  Assembly  & 
Gouernment  and  partly  from  the  factious  & turbulent 
Spiritt  of  some  other  persons  in  this  Gouernment  is  a 
full  Confirmation  of  all  that  hath  formerly  been  wrot 


462  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


to  Your  Lordships  on  that  head  and  although  Your 
Lordships  haue  all  the  Voates  of  the  Assembly  & pro- 
ceedings in  Council  before  you  yet  I cannot  omit  men- 
tioning two  or  three  of  them  to  Your  Lordships  as 
Sufficient  demonstration  of  the  truth  of  my  assertion 
May  31st  Po  Merid.  Motion  being  made  and  the  Ques- 
tion being  putt  whether  this  house  would  detach 
Men  for  the  present  Expedition  it  passed  in  the  Nega- 
tive.Ter0  Jun  1709  Resolved  the  following  words  in  the 
Address  to  Colle  Nicholson  Yizt  that  his  honnor  would 
Obleidge  our  Province  & our  nation  by  takeing  on 
him  the  Supreame  Command  of  the  forces  employed 
against  Canada  by  Land  this  house  takes  to  Signifie 
none  but  Such  as  Yolluntarily  doe  list  themselves  un 
der  his  Command.  Dies  Vener  9th  June  1709:  The 
engrosed  bill  for  the  raiseing  of  three  thousand  pound 
for  her  Majestvs  Service  was  read  the  third  time  & up- 
pon  question  put  was  Rejected.  Mr.  Gardner  on  be- 
halfe  of  the  People  that  were  called  Quakers  that  were 
Members  of  this  house  desired  that  the  following  en- 
try might  be  made  Yizt  the  members  of  this  House  be- 
ing of  the  people  called  Quakers  have  always  been  & 
Still  are  for  raiseing  Money  for  the  Support  of  her 
Majestys  Government  But  to  raise  money  for  the 
raiseing  Soaldiers  against  their  Religious  Prinsples  & 
for  Conscience  cannot  agree  thereto.  I cannot  but  Ob- 
serve to  Your  Lordships  that  had  the  bill  passed  as  it 
was  rejected  it  would  not  haue  been  very  serviceable 
Since  the  sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds  were  to  be 
paid  to  Such  as  Y olluntarily  Inlisted  themselves  to  Goe 
on  the  presant  expedition  and  Not  otherwise  So  that 
if  there  were  Not  two  hundred  Yollunteers  out  of  the 
Province  there  was  no  Provision  for  any  men  that 
were  detached  from  out  of  the  Militia  I doe  assure 
your  Lordshipps  I have  left  no  stone  unturned  to 
manifest  my  zeale  & diligence  in  this  matter  & heartily 
Sorry  that  it  has  miscarried  I thinke  my  duty  further 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  463 


to  acquaint  your  Lordships  that  there  are  two  of  her 
Majestys  Council  dead  that  are  mentioned  in  my  Lord 
Lovelaces  Instructions  viz1  Mr  Dauenport  Captain  An- 
drew Bowne  & two  being  at  that  removed  Viz1  Mr 
Reuell  and  Mr  Leeds  who  both  resided  in  the  Western 
division  of  this  Province,  that  are  two  of  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Councill  for  that  division  Still  wanting  I 
have  therefore  according  to  her  Majestys  instructions 
Sent  a list  of  the  names  of  Such  persons  as  I believe 
most  proper  to  fill  up  the  said  Vacancy s which  I think 
is  for  her  Majestys  Service  to  be  Spedily  done  that 
we  may  have  as  many  of  the  Councill  as  is  possible  to 
Assist  on  all  Occasions  To  acquaint  your  Lordships 
that  the  Assembly  hath  Raised  nothing  for  the  Sup- 
port of  the  Government  & payment  of  Sallaries  of  the 
officers  no  Contingent  charges  of  Expenses  that  I 
have  Receiuved  no  more  then  two  Years  Sallary  Since 
my  arivall  here  in  this  Province  & haue  maintained 
the  honor  of  my  Post  & Service  of  her  Majesty  at  my 
owne  expence  without  any  manner  of  reward  four 
about  four  years  Is  hut  to  Say  what  I beleiue  your 
Lordships  acquainted  withall  Onely  I thinke  it  a Jus- 
tice Due  to  My  Selfe  to  assure  your  Lordships  that  in 
all  the  Course  of  my  adminstration  here  I dare  Chal- 
lenge every  Individuall  Man  in  both  the  provinces  to 
instance  in  any  One  thing  that  they  have  been  wronged 
or  might  haue  any  just  complaint  against  Me  and 
therefore  Cannot  but  hope  that  I may  haue  your 
Lordships  Recommendations  of  Me  to  her  Majesty 
either  for  the  Continuance  of  Men  [ Me]in  the  Chief  Com- 
mand of  these  Gouernments  or  such  other  provision 
as  may  in  Some  measure  Reimburse  me  for  my  time 
& expences  I haue  been  many  years  always  in  the  Ser- 
vice of  the  Crowne  & haue  had  the  honor  of  beareing 
a Com’ison  under  it  & am  Shure  haue  neuer  Violated 
either  my  honor  or  the  trust  Reposed  in  me  & there- 
fore thinke  haue  a just  pretention  to  this  post  that  the 


464  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

death  of  My  Lord  Lovelace  & her  Majestys  Commis- 
sion hath  placed  me  in  & hope  that  I may  receiue  a 
Confirmation  thereof  from  her  Majesty  by  her  Let- 
ters Pattents  I have  farther  to  add  to  Your  Lordshipps 
that  at  the  desire  of  the  Gentlemen  of  her  Majestys 
Councill  & for  the  reasons  Alledged  in  the  Address 
that  Y our  Lordships  will  See  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Councill  I haue  thovght  it  for  her  Majestys  Service  to 
Suspend  Lewis  Morris  Esqr  from  being  one  of  her 
Majestys  Councill  or  any  other  office  or  place  of 
profit  or  trust  in  this  Province  untill  her  Majestys 
pleasure  be  farther  known  & Cannot  but  belieue  that 
her  Majesty  will  see  it  to  be  for  her  Service  to  Con- 
firme  the  Same  My  Lords  Although  the  Stubborness  of 
the  Assembly  in  not  complying  with  her  Majestys 
Commands  Relateing  to  the  present  expedition  Occa- 
sioned my  adjorning  them  by  the  advice  of  her  Ma 
jestys  Councill  Yet  that  nothing  maybe  left  untried  to 
forward  the  same  I have  Called  them  again  to  Meet 
at  Burlington  the  twenty  third  instant  & hope  they 
may  be  prevailed  with  to  Study  their  own  interest  & 
her  Majestys  Service  I am  with  all  due  regards 
My  Lords  Yoe  Lordships  most 

Obedient  humble  Serv1  Rich:  Ingoldesby 


From  Colonel  Nicholson  and  Colonel  Vetch  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade , about  the  course  of  the  Quakers  in 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania. 

| From  N.  Y.  Col:  Docts.,  Vol.  V.,  p.  78.  J 

To  the  TC  Honble  The  Lords  Commiss1'8  for  Trade 
and  Plantations. 

My  Lords 

We  cou’d  not  but  judge  it  our  Duty  to  acquaint 
Your  Lordps  of  our  safe  arrival  here  and  in  short  of  the 
success  hitherto  of  Your  Negotiation,  which  Your 
Lordps  contributed  so  heartily  Your  endeavours  for  ad- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBT.  465 


vancing;  We  have  met  with  the  wished  for  success  in 
all  Governments  who  are  concerned  in  the  same,  save 
those  of  the  Jerseys  and  Pennsylvania  the  first  of 
which  has  one  half  of  its  Assembly  Quakers,  and  the 
latter  the  whole  number  is  almost  so,  whose  pretended 
principles  being  against  Fighting,  they  have  not  as  yet 
rais’d  either  men  or  money  for  the  Expedition,  and  in- 
deed as  their  principles  are  inconsistent  with  Govern- 
ment, so  their  practice  is  to  Oppose  all  good  Order, 
and  Especially  any  Directions  from  the  Crown,  as  we 
have  but  too  Visibly  seen  at  this  time,  for  which 
reason  we  have  joyned  with  the  gentlemen  of  the 
Council  and  Assembly  of  the  Jerseys,  who  are  not 
Quakers,  in  Representing  to  Her  Majesty  the  necessity 
of  giving  an  Instruction  to  Her  Governors  not  to  ad- 
mit any  into  the  Council  or  Assemblies  but  such  as 
Qualify  themselves  as  the  Act  of  Parham'  directs;  This 
we  doubt  not  Your  Lordps  will  think  htt  to  advise  Her 
Majesty  to  do,  when  it  comes  before  you,  as  likewise 
to  advise  Her  Majesty  to  proper  Methods  with  relation 
to  Pennsylvania,  who  have  wholly  refused  Her 
Majesty’s  Commands.  And  tho’  we  hope  they  shall  not 
be  able  to  abstract  [obstruct?]  this  noble  Enterprise  the 
success  of  which  we  doubt  not  will  be  attended  with  such 
consequences  as  will  sufficiently  convince  both  Your 
Lordps  and  the  Ministry,  that  Nothing  cou’d  have  been 
enterprized  which  cou’d  have  contributed  so  much  to 
the  honour  and  Advantage  of  the  Crown  and  Subjects 
of  Britain,  that  this  present  Expedition,  which  the 
Quakers  have  not  been  wanting  to  their  power  to  ob- 
struct. This  we  judge  it  our  Duty  with  all  submission 
to  Your  Lordps  consummate  wisdom,  humbly  to  advise 
You  of.  Who  are  with  all  possible  respect. 

My  Lords,  Your  Lordp* 

most  devoted  humble  Servants. 

New  York  Fran.  Nicholson 

June  28th  1709.  Sam.  Vetch. 

30 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


406 


Letter  from  Mr.  Thomas  Cockerill  to  Secretary  Popple , 
referring  to  the  death  of  Lord  Lovelace , and  prepa- 
rations for  a Canada  Expedition. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col:  Docts.,  Vol.  V.,  p.  81. | 

To  Wm  Popple  Esq1 
Sr 

[Extracts]  * * * * * I need  not  Inform  you 
that  my  Lord  dyed  here  the  6th  of  May,  having  never 
had  a well  day  in  his  Government,  which  I attribute 
wholly  to  the  cold  of  sickness  he  caught  aboard  the 
Man  of  War  upon  the  Coast.  One  Son  dyed  before 
him  and  the  Y oung  Lord  a fortnight  after. 1 This  bad 
News,  I suppose  is  already  come  to  Your  hands;  With 
this  comes  My  Lady  who  will  want  the  assistance  of 
Your  Honorable  Board  to  recommend  Her  Case  to  Her 
Majesty:  She  has  been  a very  great  loser  in  other  re- 
spects, besides  those  already  mentioned  by  this  Voyage; 
I dare  promise  my  self  you  will  do  her  all  the  good 
Offices  in  Your  power.2  * * * * 

We  are  bigg  with  Expectation  of  good  Success  from 
the  Canada  Expedition,  and  shall  raise  in  this  Prov- 
ince £10,000,  towards  the  charge  of  it.  * * * * * 
* * * * In  Jersey  the  Quakers  in  the  Assembly 

Voted  against  the  Bill  for  raising  £3,000  &a  for  the 


1 John,  fourth  Lord  Lovelace,  was  grandson  of  Francis  Lovelace,  Governor  of 
New  York  from  1668  to  1673.  He  was  advanced  to  the  governorship  of  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  from  the  post  of  Cornet  in  the  first  troop  of  Her  Majesty’s  Horse 
Guards,  His  sudden  death  interferred  with  the  realization  of  many  schemes  for 
the  improvement  of  the  province.  Lady  Lovelace,  sorely  afflicted  by  the  death  of 
her  two  sons  and  her  husband,  left  for  England  early  in  July,  and  it  was  not  for 
some  years  that  she  received  compensation  for  the  services  and  advances  of  her 
husband.  The  third  son,  Nevil,  inherited  the  title  of  his  father— his  oldest  having 
been  one  of  those  who  died.-  -Ed. 

2 Under  date  of  September  3d,  1709,  Lady  Lovelace  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
herself,  complaining  of  the  treatment  received  from  Lieut.  Gov.  Ingoldesby,  in  con- 
sequence of  her  refusal  to  deliver  to  him  some  papers  committed  to  her  care  by 
LordLovelace  during  his  illness,  and  says:  “ I doubt  not  my  Lords,  but  my  de- 
plorable condition  will  be  commisserated  by  Her  Majesty,  as  well  as  pityed  by 
Your  Lord’ps;  The  damage  our  goods  received  by  Sea  was  very  great,  the  Ex- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  467 

Canada  Expedition,  and  upon  the  third  Reading,  two 
of  the  Assembly  that  were  not  Quakers  joyned  with 
them,  thro’  somebody’s  Instigation,  to  render  that  As- 
sembly odious,  whereby  the  Bill  was  lost;  But  the 
Assembly  being  prorogued  at  the  Desire  of  the  Speaker 
met  again  and  have  since  past  it.  The  two  men  Voted 
all  along  for  the  Bill,  untill  the  third  Reading;  I am 
told  the  Quakers  would  have  absented  from  the  House 
if  they  had  known  of  these  two  Mens  designs,  but  I 
will  not  altogether  credit  this  Report.  It  may  become 
the  Queen’s  consideration,  whether  quakers  shall  be 
allowed  to  be  chosen  Assembly  Men  in  that  Province 
for  the  future. 

* * * -X-  * -X-  * 

Your  most  faithful  humble  Serv’ 

New  York  July  2d  1709.  Thom.  Cockerill* 1 


Letter  from  Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldesby  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade , relating  to  Proceedings  of  the 
Assembly. 

[From  New  York  Col.  Docts..  Vol.  V.,  p.  82.] 

To  the  IP  Honble  the  Lords  Commissrs  for  Trade 
& Plantations. 

[Extract.] 

My  Lords 

I embrace  this  opportunity  which  is  the  first  I have 
had  to  inform  Your  Lordps  that  my  Lord  Lovelace  dyed 


pense  in  repairing  the  House  at  New  York,  the  Expense  of  my  Dear  Lord’s  Illness, 
from  the  time  of  our  arrival  ’till  his  Death,  also  of  two  children,  and  their  Funerals, 
and  the  Expenses  of  our  voyages  amount  to  about  £2,000  more  than  my  Lord  re- 
ceived there  which  was  not  above  £400.”  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  V.,  p.  89.— Ed. 

1 Thomas  Cockerill  had  come  to  America  as  Private  Secretary  to  Lord  Lovelace . 
He  remained  in  New  York,  and  is  subsequently  mentioned  as  Paymaster  of  the 
forces,  but  died  in  1711. — Ed. 


468  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

the  0th  of  May  last,  whereby  the  Government  of  this 
and  Her  Majesty’s  neighbouring  Province  of  New  Jer- 
sey devolved  upon  me,  whom  her  Majesty  has  been 
pleased  to  appoint  Lieut1  Governour  thereof. 

7r  vf  -X-  v£  -X*  w 

I cannot  omit  acquainting  Your  Lord1'*  that  tho’ 
by  my  Lord  Lovelace's  directions,  the  Act  of  Par- 
liament for  the  ascertaining  the  rates  of  Foreign 
Coins  in  Her  Majesty’s  Plantations  in  America,  was 
published  in  this  Province,  and  in  New  Jersey  yett  the 
people  of  either  Province  pay  no  obedience  thereto; 
Nay  the  Assemblies  take  upon  them  thus  far  to  make 
the  Act  of  no  signification,  that  they  will  pass  no  bill 
for  mony,  but  to  be  paid  at  the  Value  it  was,  before 
the  said  Act  took  place.  Indeed  Mr  Cockrill  who  pays 
the  forces  here,  has  paid  them  according  to  that  Act 
ever  since  the  first  of  May,  and  the  publick  officers 

conform  to  it,  but  nobody  else  do’s  that  I hear  of. 

****** 

In  my  last  to  your  Lordps  from  Perth  Amboy,  I 
sent  Your  Lordps  on  account  of  what  then  occurred 
both  in  the  Council  and  the  Assembly  to  that  time; 
I have  only  to  add  that  our  Assembly  mett  according 
to  the  Appointment;  and  have,  as  Your  Lordps  will  see 
by  the  Minutes  of  Council  herewith  sent  you,  passed  an 
Act  for  Raising  £3000  for  the  present  service  and  Ex- 
pedition against  Canada,  another  for  the  Inforcing  the 
Currency  of  Bills  of  Credits  for  £3000,  and  another 
for  the  Incouragement  of  Volunteers.  I have  only  to 
observe  to  Your  Lordps  that  they  passed  the  House  of 
Representatives  with  great  difficulty,  all  the  Quakers 
in  the  house  voting  against  the  Bills;  which  is  a fur- 
ther Confirmation  of  the  Representation  sent  to  Her 
Majesty  from  my  self  and  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Coun- 
cil, in  which  Col.  Nicholson  and  Col1  Vetch  have 
joyned  with  us. 

I hope  Your  Lordps  will  excuse  me  for  not  sending 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  469 


the  Acts  passed  in  New  Jersey.  The  Secretary  not 
having  as  yet  sent  ’em  me.  I shall  transmit  them 
to  Your  Lordps  ye  very  next  opportunity. 

I am  with  all  due  respect  My  Lords, 

Your  LordpR  most  obedient  humble  Servant 
New  York  Rich.  Ingoldesby. 

5th  July  1709. 


Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Queer, 
referring  to  Rich  ard  Ingoldesby' s Cow  mission  as 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  York . 

[From  N.  Y.  Col.  Docts.,  Vol.  V.,  p.  89.  | 

To  the  Queen’s  Most  Excelt  Majesty 
May  it  please  your  Majesty , 

We  have  received  letters  from  Col1  Ingoldesby  Your 
Majesty’s  Lieut1  gov^  of  New  Jersey  informing  us  that 
upon  the  death  of  the  Lord  Lovelace  Your  Ma1'8  late 
Govr  of  New  York  he  had  taken  upon  him  the  govern- 
ment of  that  Province,  stiling  himself  Your  Majesty’s 
Lieut1  GovV  thereof,  and  as  we  believed  he  had  not 
title  to  that  Gov'  we  looked  back  into  our  Books,  and 
find  that  he  had  a Commission  from  Your  Majesty  to 
be  Lieu1  Gov1,  of  New  York.  But  when  a Representa- 
tion of  Your  Majesty’s  Commissrs  of  Trade  A Planta- 
tions Dated  the  8'h  of  April  1706,  setting  forth  the  In- 
conveniencies  of  the  said  Ingoldesby’s  being  Lieut' 
Govr  of  New  York,  Your  Majesty  was  pleased,  by 
Your  order  in  Council  of  the  11th  of  the  said  month,  to 
direct  S-  Charles  Hedges  then  Sec1  v of  State  to  prepare 
a Warr1  for  Your  Majesty’s  Royal  Signature  Revoking 
the  said  Ingoldesby’s  Commission  for  that  Province: 
and  the  said  Commissioners  having  been  Desired  by  S- 
Charles  Hedges  to  prepare  the  Draught  of  such  a 
Warrant,  the  same  was  prepared  by  them,  and  sent  to 


470  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


him  the  24th  of  the  said  April  But  it  not  appearing  by 
the  Books  in  the  office  of  Your  Majesty’s  Sec’ry  of  State 
whether  the  said  Warrant  was  signed  by  Your  Majesty 
and  sent  or  no  We  thought  it  Our  Duty  to  lay  this 
matter  before  Your  Majesty,  and  to  forbear  transact- 
ing with  him,  under  the  character  of  Lieut1  Govr  of 
New  York,  till  we  shall  receive  your  Majesty’s  pleasure 
thereupon. 1 

Which  is  most  humbly  submitted 
Whitehall  Dartmouth 

Septemb-  the  2(1  1709  J.  Smith 

Ph.  Meadows 
Jn°  Pulteney 


Representation  from  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and 
Councill  of  New  Jersey  to  the  Queen , relating  to 
the  proceedings  of  the  Quakers  in  that  Province. 

Representation  To  the  Queen’s  Most  Exc1  Majty 
from  the  Liu*  Gov?  & Council  of  New  Jersey. 
[Rec’ed : 2 Novemb  1709  attested  by  Coll: 
Nicholson  & Coll.  Vetch.] 

To  the  Queens  most  Excellent  Majesty. 

May  it  please  Yo1-  Majesty. 

The  deplorable  Condition  of  this  Yo1  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince, being  a Subject  worthy  Yo-  Majtles  Considerac’on 
makes  us  presume  to  lay  at  Yo-  Majties  Royall  feet  this 
present  Representation:  and  we  are  the  rather  en- 
couraged in  it,  at  this  tyme,  from  our  apprehention  of 


1 His  Commission  as  Lieut.  Gov’r  of  New  York  was  revoked  under  date  of  Septem- 
ber 17tb,  1709,  and  that  for  New  Jersey  under  Date  of  October  29th,  1709. — Ed. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  471 

gaining  Credit  with  Your  Majestie.  When  you  shall 
find  the  truth  Coroborated  by  the  Testimony  of  the 
Honoble  Coll:  Francis  Nicholson  and  Coll:  Samuel 

Vetch,  who  during  their  stay  in  this  Collony  have  been 
Witnesses  to  our  Divisions,  Nakedness  and  Dis- 
obedience to  Your  Majties  Commands,  from  the  Prev- 
alence of  a Sort  of  People  amongst  us,  who  though 
not  above  one  Sixth  part  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Province;  Yet  by  a Peculiar  Address  and  a Religious 
Cunning,  Influence  too  many  well  meaning  Men,  with 
most  Ridiculous  & Injurious  Principles.  Such  as  are 
Contrary  to  civill  Government,  Prejudiciall  to  Your 
Majestys  Honour,  and  Dignity,  and  the  safety  and 
wellfare  of  the  Countrey:  Your  Majesty  will  easily 
perceive  wee  mean  the  Quakers,  whose  Mischeivous 
practices  in  this  Collony,  have  been  by  us  formerly  rep- 
resented to  Yo1'  Majesty  in  Severall  Particulars;  but 
waveing  them  at  present  shall  Instance  only  in  one 
Single  action  of  theirs,  which  has  been,  and  w^ee  are 
affraid  will  still  be  attended  with  many  Unhappy  Con- 
sequences. 

The  Honb?e  Coll:  Nicholson  and  Coll:  Vetch,  having 
in  Obedience  to  yo-  Majesty’s  Com’ands,  laid  before 
our  Present  Assembly,  the  Necessity  and  advantage  of 
raising  men,  and,  mony,  to  carry  on  the  Glorious  Ex- 
pedition against  Canada  expected  (as  we  did  our  selves, 
and  the  whole  Country)  their  ready  Complyance,  in  an 
affair  of  that  Nature,  & So  highly  redounding  to  Yor 
Majesty’s  Glory,  and  the  Peace,  Wellfare,  and  pros- 
perity of  this,  and  our  Neighbour  Governments. 

The  Assembly  having  under  their  Consideration,  the 
proper  measures  to  be  taken  for  Carrying  on  the  above 
mentioned  Expedic’on  could  not  come  to  any  good 
conclusion,  by  reason  of  the  Opposition  of  the  Quakers, 
who  are  at  present1  Numerous  in  that  House  and  have 


11  Among  the  34  Members. 


A I>M  I XlSTBATION  OF  LIEl'T.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


*72 

declared  their  Principles,  and  what  your  Majesty  and 
the  whole  Country  may  for  the  future  expect  from 
them,  by  an  entry,  these  People  desired  might  be  made, 
and  which  was  done  accordingly,  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
.Journall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  we 
shall  lay  before  Yor  Majesty  in  the  words  it  now  stands 
entered  there,  viz* 

“ Mr  Gardener,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  the  rest  of 
“ the  Members  of  this  House,  that  were  of  the  People 
**  called  Quakers,  desired  the  following  entry  might  be 
“ made  viz1. 

“ The  members  of  this  House,  being  of  the  People 
u called  Quakers,  have  always  been,  and  still  are  for 
“Raising  mony,  for  Support  of  Her  MajaJ*  Gover- 
nment: but  to  raise  mony  for  Raising  of  Soldiers,  is 
“against  their  Religious  Principles  and  for  Conscience, 
“ cannot  agree  thereto. 

From  hence  Your  Majesty  will  perceive  how  fitt 
Such  men  are  to  be  admitted  into  Yo-  Majesties  Coun- 
cill.  the  Assembly  or  any  place  of  trust  in  the  Gover- 
ment.  And  with  humble  Submission  wee  conceive, 
that  unless  the  Quakers  are  restrained  from  the  Man- 
ager^ of  Publick  affairs,  (as  they  are  in  Great  Brittain ) 
and  obliged  to  Act  conformable  to  the  many  good  Laws 
made  for  that  purpose.  Your  Majesty  can  never  expect 
to  see  an  end  of  the  Confusions  A Divisions  which 
have  so  long  Reigned  among  us.  Nor  Yor  Majestys 
Goverment  Honourably  Supported  or  defended  and 
tho'  we  lye  open  to  the  Insults  of  our  Enemies  both  by 
Sea  and  Land.  Yet  wee  are  so  crampt  with  Militia 
that  *tis  Impossible  with  any  vigour  to  proceed  to  a 
Necessary  Resistance. 

And  that  the  Nakedness  and  Weakeness  of  this  un- 
happy Province,  may  yet  further  be  made  apparent  to 
Your  Majesty,  there  is  not  any  the  least  provision 
made  for  the  Incident  Charges  of  the  Goverment.  not 
one  farthing  to  pay  a Messenger,  or  Express,  dispatcht 
upon  the  most  Extraordinary  Occasions. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  IXGOLDESB  V.  473 


Neither  has  the  Government  Credit  Sufficient  to  Sub- 
sist the  Indians,  tho  but  for  one  day,  much  less  to 
purchase  a Match-coat  to  present  them  with,  when 
they  are  sent  for  to  a Treaty  for  your  Majestys  honour 
and  the  good  of  the  Province. 

Richard  Ixgoldesby. 


William  Pixhorn. 
Daniel  Coxe. 
Hugh  Huddy. 
Peter  Sonmans. 


Richard  Townley. 
Roger  Mompesson. 
William  Sandford. 
Robert  Quary. 


Both-  from  our  former  knowledge  of  those  Provinces 
and  what  hath  appeared  to  us  upon  this  Juncture  of 
affairs,  wee  are  highly  Sencible  of  the  Truth  of  the 
foregoing  Memoriall.  and  most  Humbly  recom’end  it 
to  Her  Majesty’s  Roy  all  Consideration, 

Francis  Nicholson. 
Samuel  Vetch. 


A True  Copy  taken  out  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Coun- 
cill,  as  Witness  my  hand. 

J.  Basse  Seer' 


Representation  of  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Qveen , 
relative  to  an  Act  passed  in  1704,  for  Regidating 
Negro.  Indian  and  Mulatto  Slaves  Ac  in  Xeu' 
Jersey. 

| From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  .Jersey.  Vol.  13.  p.  20.  j 

To  the  Queens  most  ExeelT  MajT 

May  it  Please  Your  Majesty. 

We  have  considered  An  Act  past  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  Your  Majesties  Province  of  New  Jersey 
in  December  1704.  Entituled,  An  Act  for  Regulating 
Negro , Indian  & Mulato  Slaves  within  this  Province 
of  New  Jersey , in  which,  tho’  there  are  Several  good  & 


474  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEl'T.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


Useful  Clauses,  there  is  one  that  inflicts  inhumane 
penalties  on  Negroes  &c  not  fit  to  be  Confirmed  by 
Your  Majesty,  & therefore  we  humbly  offer  that  the 
said  Act  be  repealed. 1 
Which  is  most  Humbly  Submitted 

Dartmouth 

Whitehall  t Ph:  Meadows 

Oct1!1'  18‘h  1709  \ J PULTENEY 


Revocation  of  the  Commission  of  Richard  Ingoldesby 
as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  79.] 

Her  Majesties  Letter  revoking  Col  Ingoldesby  s 
Commission  of  If  Governor  of  New  Jersey. 

ANNE  R 

Trusty  and  Well  beloved  We  greet  you  well:  Where- 
as by  Our  Commission  bearing  date  at  St.  James’s  the 
Six  and  Twentieth  day  of  November  in  the  first  Year 
of  Our  Reign,  We  were  pleased  to  Constitute  and  ap- 
point You  Our  Lieuten*  Governour  of  Nova  Caesarea 
or  New  Jersey  and  the  Territorys  depending  thereon 
in  America,  to  have,  hold  exercise  and  enjoy  the  said 
Office  or  Place  of  Our  Lieutenant  Governour  there  for 
and  during  Our  Pleasure  And  Whereas  for  Certain 
Causes  and  Considerations  Us  thereunto  moving,  We 
have  thought  fit  to  determine,  annul,  and  revoke,  as 
We  do  by  these  Presents  determine  annul  and  revoke 
Our  Commission  granted  unto  you  in  that  behalf  as 


’October  24,  1709,  by  an  order  of  Council,  the  Act  referred  to  in  this  communica- 
tion was  repealed.— Ed. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  475 

aforesaid  and  all  and  singular  the  Matters,  Clauses 
Powers  and  Authority s therein  contained  Our  Will 
and  Pleasure  is,  that  upon  the  receipt  hereof,  You  do 
immediately,  as  you  will  answer  the  contrary  at  your 
peril,  Quit  the  said  Office  or  Place  of  our  Lieu*  Gover- 
nour  of  Our  said  Province  of  Nova  Caesarea  or  New 
Jersey.  And  that  you  do  henceforth  forbear  to  put  in 
execution  any  of  the  Clauses,  Powers  and  Authority s 
therein  Contained,  Which  we  hereby  declare  to  be 
null  and  void  from  the  time  of  Your  Receipt  of  these 
Presents.  And  so  we  bid  you  farewell.  Given  at  our 
Castle  of  Windsor  the  nine  and  Twentienth  day  of 
October  1709,  in  the  Eighth  Year  of  Our  Reign.' 

By  Her  Majesty’s  Command 
Superscribed  Sunderland 

To  Our  Trusty  & Welbeloved 
Richard  Ingoldesby  Esq" 


Memorial  from  William  Dockwra  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade , with  Several  papers  relating  to  the  Pub- 
lick  Affairs  of  New  Jersey. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.,  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  60.  J 

To  the  Right  Honble  the  Lords  & Others  Her 
Majesties  Commissioners  for  Trade  and 
forriegne  Plantations. 

The  Humble  Memoriall  of  W?  Dockwra. 
Sheweth 

That  Whereas  there  is  transmitted  from  Nova  Caes- 
aria  or  New- Jersey  severall  Addresses,  Representa- 
tions, Petitions  and  Sundry  other  (both  printed  & 
written)  papers  by  the  Members  of  the  Councill,  and 
other  Majestrates  of  the  said  Province,  and  directed  to 
me  thes?  W™  Dockwra  desiring  me  to  attend  yo-  Hon- 


1 Copy  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  Council  of  New  Jersey  by  Secretary 
Popple,  under  date  of  November  10th,  1709.— Ed 


476  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBT.  [1709 

ours  alid  present  them  to  this  HonWe  boorcl  for  yo* 
Lop.8  true  information  of  the  State  & Condition  of  the 
publick  affairs  of  the  sd  Province. 1 

In  order  to  Which,  I have  delivered  them  to  M1-  Pop- 
ple yr  Lord?8  Secretary,  Humbly  requesting  that  yor: 
Honours  will  be  pleasrd  to  call  for  them  to  be  read  & 
considered  with  such  Expedition  as  in  Yor  Lorp.8  wis- 
dom shall  be  thought  necessary,  before  the  Settlement 
of  Members  of  Councill  & Instructions  to  his  Excel- 
lency Coll.  Hunter  for  the  Go  verm1  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince. Which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  Yox-  Lopps,  by 
Yo?  Lordpp  Most  humble 
31th  Octob  and  most  obedient  Serv* 

1709. 


Documents  referring  to  the  irregular  Proceedings  of 
Lewis  Morris , George  Willocks  and  others , trans- 
mitted to  the  Lords  of  Trade  with  foregoing 
letter. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey.  Vol.  1,  C.  69.  | 

Proofs  to  maintain  the  Address  of  the  Lieu  ten r 
Govern:  & Councill  of  New-Jersey,  To  the 
Queen. — which  Address  was  sent  to  Eng- 
land, and  coppy  thereof  delivered  to  the  Lord 
Lovelace  from  the  Eight  Honb*e  The  Ld  Sun- 
derland as  by  his  Letter  dl  29  July  1708  2 
Province  of  East  Jersey : 

No.  1 

William  Bingla  aged  25  years  or  thereabouts  maketh 


1 The  Documents  submitted  are  printed  on  foregoing  pages,  except  those  tha  t 
follow  this.— Ed. 

2 See  page  -287  of  this  Volume. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEtJT.  GOV.  INGOLDE8BY.  477 

Oath  that  he  was  in  Court  when  the  Govern1-  ordred 
Lewis  Morris  to  be  arrested  for  the  publick  affront  he 
the  sd  Lewis  Morris  gave  to  the  Govern' : & saw-  the  sd 
Lewis  Morris  withstand  the  Constable,  laying  his  hand 
upon  his  Hanger,  saying  I wish  I could  see  the  man 
that  dare  meddle  with  me  &c\ 

Jurat  12th  May  1698. 

Coram  me  J : Basse 

No  2 

John  Edsall  of  the  County  of  Bergen  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  East  New  Jersey  deposeth  that  he  was  at  a 
Town  meeting  held  at  Bergen  aforesd  some  time  in 
Aprill  last,  Mr  Morris  & Mr  Willocks  being  present  at 
the  meeting  aforesd  & produced  a letter  that  they 
said  came  from  Newark,  which  the  sd  Morris  read 
to  this  purpose  viz  That  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Newark  was  resolved  not  to  pay  the  late  Tax  levyed 
by  the  Assemby  for  the  defence  of  the  Port  of  Am- 
boy, & the  sd  Morris  and  Willocks  desired  the  Inhab- 
itants of  Bergen  to  give  them  their  answer  whether 
or  no  they  would  stand  in  opposition  with  them 
against  the  Act  for  levying  the  tax  aforesd?  & telling 
the  Constable  Sc  Sheriff  that  if  they  did  not  distraine 
they  would  come  to  no  damage,  for  there  was  no  fine 
layd  upon  them  by  the  Act,  Sc  further  the  Deponent 
saith  not, 

John  Edsall 

Jura  lit  coram  nobis 

10th  May  1699 
Andrew  Bowxe 
John  Royse 

No  3 

Grimston  Boude  Merchant  aged  38  years  or  there- 
abouts being  sworn  upon  the  Holyr  Evangelists  of 


478  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

Almighty  God  deposeth  that  he  was  at  a Town  meeting 
held  at  Perth- Amboy  the  25*?  of  Aprill  Anno  Dom. 
1699  or  thereabouts,  & he  the  deponent  was  warned 
by  the  Constable  to  meet  the  Inhabitants  of  the  sd 
Town,  the  Deponent  according  to  warnement  mett,  & 
there  see  Lewis  Morris,  George  Willocks,  Thomas 
Gordon  with  severall  others  in  the  sd  meeting,  & 
the  deponent  further  saith  that  the  sd  Lewis 
Morris,  George  Willocks  & Thomas  Gordon  did 
use  their  utmost  endeavours  to  persuade  the 
inhabitants  of  Amboy  aforesd  not  to  Condesend  to  the 
payment  of  the  rate-monie  tax  pursuant  to  an  Act  of 
Assembly  saying  that  if  it  was  putt  to  those  Gentle- 
mans hands  which  the  Assembly  aforesd  had  consti- 
tuted for  the  manidgement  thereof  it  would  be  the  ruin 
of  the  Province,  with  many  such  arguments  to  stir 
up  the  Inhabitants  aforesd  not  to  pay  the  money 
levied  by  the  Assemblie  aforesd,  & produced  severall 
coppys  of  protests  as  they  told  me  from  severall 
Townes  in  this  Province,  which  protests  they  read  to 
this  effect.  That  the  Inhabitants  of  each  Towne  pro- 
tested against  the  late  Act  of  Assembly  aforesd  & 
were  resolved  to  oppose  the  Assessors  thereof,  & that 
they  the  sd  Lewis  Morris  George  Willocks  and 
Thomas  Gordon  did  use  their  utmost  endeavours  by 
these  Arguments  to  persuade  the  Inhabitants  not  to 
pay  the  tax  aforesd  & also  to  oppose  the  Leavynge  of 
it,  and  that  the  said  Lewis  Morris  produced  a letter 
which  he  read  to  this  effect,  that  by  the  Cowardize 
& Sloth  of  the  Governour,  the  Ship  Hester  was  taken 
from  us  & carried  to  New  York,  & that  the  sd  Lewis 
Morris,  George  Willocks  and  Thomas  Gordon  were 
the  first  promoter^  of  sending  an  order  to  Benjamin 
Griffith  not  to  meet  the  rest  of  the  Assessors  at  the 
time  appointed  & they  pers waded  the  people  to  chuse 
five  or  six  people  for  a Committee  to  presept  Lewis 
Morris  for  a Deputie  of  this  place  to  the  Assemblie 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOT.  INGOLDESBY.  479 

when  they  mett  again,  & that  the  sd  Lewis  Morris 
sd  that  the  Governr  used  arbitrary  power  in  taking 
away  a warrant  from  the  Constable,  & that  the  sd 
Lewis  Morris  urged  it  hard  to  putt  it  to  the  vote 
whether  they  should  not  do  as  the  rest  of  their  Neigh- 
bours had  done,  some  in  the  meeting  reply’d  what  is 
that,  & the  said  Lewis  Morris,  George  Willocks  & 
Thomas  Gordon  answered  not  to  Assess  the  money 
pursuant  to  the  late  Act  of  Assemblie,  & further  saith 
not. 

Jurat  coram  nobis  Grimstone  Boude 

10  May  1699 

Andrew  Bowne 
John  Royse 


No  4 

At  the  Court  of  Common  Right  held  at  Perth  Am- 
boy for  the  Province  of  East  Jersey. 

May  11th  1698 

Present  Coll:  Jeremiah  Basse  Govern1: 

Cap-  Andrew  Bowne 
M^  Samuel  Dennes 
Capt.  John  Bishop 
Mr  Richard  Hartshorne 
M"  Thomas  Warne 
M?  Samuel  Hale 

Lewis  Morris  Esq1  came  into  open  Court  & demanded 
by  what  authority  they  Kept  Court,  the  Court  de- 
clared by  the  Kings  Authority.  He  denyed  & being- 
asked  who  was  dissatisfied  besides  himself,  he  said, 
one  & all,  the  Court  Commanding  the  sd  Morris  to  be 
taken  into  Custodie,  Coll:  Richard  Townley  Andrew 
Hampton  both  of  Elizabeth  Towne  with  three  or  four 
more  cryed  out  one  & all,  & he  the  sd  Lewis  Morris 
said  he  would  fain  see  who  darst  lay  hold  on  him,  & 
when  a Constable  by  order  of  the  Court  layd  hold  on 
him  he  in  the  face  of  the  Court  resisted. 


480  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  I NTGOLDESBT . [1709 


The  Court  orders 

That  Lewis  Morris  Esqr  for  his  denying  the  Author- 
ity of  this  Court  & other  his  contempts  shall  be  fined 
fifty  pounds,  and  committed  to  prison  till  paid. 

A True  copie  Edward  Slater 

Cler:  Cur: 


No  5 

At  a Court  of  Common  Eight  held  at  Perth  Amboy 
for  the  Province  of  New  Jersey  October  ll1!1  1699 
Present 

Jeremiah  Basse  Esqr  Govern1. 

Mr  Richard  Hartshorne  M?  Samuell  Dennis 

Cap1  John  Bishop  Mr  John  Royse 

Mr  Thomas  Warne. 

Cap1.  Isaac  Whitehead  was  brought  before  the  Court 
& examined  about  the  breaking  the  Prison  at  Wood 
bridge  being  the  County  Goal  for  the  County  of  Mid- 
dlesex & letting  out  the  prisoners  out  of  the  sd  Jail, 
and  also  for  disturbing  of  the  Justices  for  the  County 
of  Essex  at  the  Town  of  Newark  in  said  County  when 
they  were  about  Keeping  the  Court  of  Sessions  or 
County  Court  being  the  second  Tuesday  of  the  month 
September  last. 

The  Court  orders  that  Isaac  Whitehead  shall  give 
one  hundred  pounds  security  for  his  appearance  at  the 
Court  of  Common  Right  the  second  Tuesday  in  May 
next  to  answer  our  Sovereigne  Lord  the  King  concern- 
ing a Riott  committed  at  Woodbridge  by  breaking 
open  the  prison  belonging  to  the  County  of  Middlesex 
& letting  out  two  prisoners  & also  for  another  Ryott 
committed  by  the  sd  Isaac  Whitehead  & others  by  dis- 
turbing of  the  County  Court  held  at  Newark  for  the 
County  of  Essex  the  Second  Tuesday  in  September 
last,  & in  the  mean  time  to  be  of  good  behavior  to- 
wards our  Sovereigne  Lord  the  King  & all  his  Liege 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  481 


people  & if  he  refuses  so  to  do  then  to  be  committed 
to  the  Common  jail  till  he  give  in  security  as  aforesd 


P Cur: 


Edward  Slater  Clerk 
To  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Middlesex. 


No  6 At  Perth  Amboy  12  May  1099 

Upon  our  Oathes  for  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King 
we  Jurors  do  present  Lewis  Morris  George  Willocks  & 
Thomas  Gordon  for  a breach  of  the  Laws  of  this  Prov- 
ince, according  to  that  Act  intituled  for  the  better 
maintaining  Sc  upholding  the  Authority  of  this 
Province 

By  order  of  the  Grand  Inquest 
Ephraim  Andrews  foreman 


No  7 

. To  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Middlesex  his  un- 
der Sheriff  or  Deputy  or  either  of  them. 

Whereas  we  are  informed  that  Lewis  Morris  of  Tin- 
ton  in  the  County  of  Monmouth  Sc  Province  aforesd 
Gent:  did  in  Aprill  last  at  Perth  Amboy  in  the  sd 
Province  seditiously  assemble  with  others  Sc  endeavour 
to  subvert  the  Laws  of  this  Province  Sc  did  by  mali- 
cious Sc  reproachfull  words  Asperge  the  Govern1 : of  the 
sd  Province  contrary  to  the  Peace  of  our  Sovereign 
Lord  the  King  Sc  the  Laws  in  such  cases  made  Sc  pro- 
vided. These  are  therefore  to  will  Sc  require,  Sc  in  his 
Majesties  name  Stricktly  to  charge  Sc  command  you  to 
take  into  your  Custody  the  sd  Lewis  Morris  Sc  him  to 
convey  to  the  Jail  of  your  County  Sc  there  safely  to 
Keep  untill  he  shall  give  sufflcent  security  in  the  Sum 
of  three  hundred  pounds  for  his  appearance  at  the 
Court  of  Common  right  to  beheld  at  Perth  Amboy  the 
Second  Tuesday  in  October  next,  then  Sc  there  to  An- 
swer the  premises  Sc  in  the  mean  time  to  be  of  the 
good  behavior  towards  his  Majesty  Sc  all  his  Liege 
31 


482  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


people.  Hereof  fail  not  at  your  perill,  Sc  for  so  doing 
this  shall  be  your  warrant.  Given  under  our  hands 
& seales  the  eleventh  day  of  May  in  the  Eleventh  year 
of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  William  the  third 
over  England  &c.  King  Anno  Dom:  1699  at  Perth 
Amboy  in  the  Province  aforesd 
The  above  is  a true  Coppy  of  Andrew  Bowne 
the  warrant  of  Committ-  John  Royse 

ment.  E.  Slater  Rich?  Hartshorn 

Tho:  Warne 
Samuel  Dennes 

Province  East  Jersey 

Matt:  Moore  aged  31  years  or  there  abouts  maketh 
Oath,  that  he  was  in  Court  Sc  see  Lewis  Morris  affront 
the  Govern":  Sc  upon  which  the  Govern";  ordred  him 
to  withdraw  but  would  not  Sc  still  gave  the  Gov- 
ernour  very  Saucy  Language  upon  which  he  ordred 
the  Constables  to  arrest  the  sd  Lewis  Morris,  hut  he 
the  sd  Lewis  Morris  withstood  the  sd  Constables  Sc 
would  not  suffer  them  to  come  nigh  him,  upon  which 
the  sd  Constables  commanded  me  to  lay  hands  upon 
him  which  I went  to  take  hold  on  him,  he  made  some 
resistance,  Sc  did  endeavour  to  draw  his  Hanger,  but 
I being  quick  prevented  him. 

Juratt,  the  12t.h  May  98 
Coram  me 
J Basse. 

No.  12 

At  a Councill  held  the  1611.1  of  May  &c.  present. 

The  Deputy  Governour 
John  Roysse 
Tho:  Warne 
Capt.  John  Bishop 

There  was  delivered  by  Mr.s  Willocks  a letter  which 
was  read  here  directed  to  Cap?  Andrew  Bowne,  W 


1709]  ADMIKISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  ItfGOLDESBY.  483 

John  Roj^se,  M’  Tho:  Warne  and  company  &c.  in 
these  words, 

Sr.8 

We  are  now  able  (God  be  thanked)  to  treat  with 
you  any  way  you  think  fitt  if  you  had  valued  either 
your  own  or  the  wellfare  of  the  Government  your 
procedures  had  been  more  calm  Your  day  is  not 
yet  out,  & it  is  in  your  power  to  follow  the  things 
that  make  for,  peace,  Sc  if  you  do  not,  at  your  door 
lye  the  consequence,  our  friends  will  not  suffer  us  to 
be  putt  upon,  farewell. 

Geo  Willocks  Lewis  Morris 

May  16?  at  one  afternoon  1699. 

Ordered  that  one  of  the  members  of  this  board  be 
sent  to  desire  a conference  with  the  house  of  Repre- 
sentatives thereupon. 

Accordingly  Thomas  Warne  & the  Clerk  of  this 
board  were  sent,  Sc  the  whole  house  of  Representa- 
tives came  before  this  board  the  deputy  GovenT  repre- 
sented to  them  that  he  had  received  a letter  from 
George  Willocks  Sc  Lewis  Morris  which  was  read  Sc 
the  house  of  Representatives  desired  time  to  peruse  Sc 
consider  of  the  same  which  was  sent  them  by  John 
Royse. 

The  sd  Letter  was  returned  to  this  board  by  John 
Pike  Sc  Benjamin  Burden  members  of  the  house  of 
Representatives. 

A message  from  the  house  of  Representatives  by 
Peter  Van  Este  Sc  Elias  Machielson — desiring  that  this 
board  would  appoint  some  of  their  members  to  meet  a 
Committee  of  seaven  of  their  House  to  come  to  some 
resolution  upon  the  sd  letter,  accordingly  Thomas 
Warne  was  sent  by  this  board  to  acquaint  the  House 
of  representatives  that  they  were  ready  to  meet  the  sd 
Committee  in  the  chamber  where  the  Councill  was 
held  upon  w?  Richard  Hartshorne,  Samuel  Dennis 
Samuel  Walker,  Benjamin  Burden  John  Pike  John 


484  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


Treat  & Jediah  Higgins  came  to  meet  the  members  of 
this  board,  being  Thomas  Warne,  John  Royse  & John 
Bishop  & thereupon  the  Deputy  Governour  with- 
drew. 

The  Deputy  Govern1-  returning,  the  Members  of  this 
board  who  had  mett  the  Committee  acquainted  this 
board  that  they  had  agreed  that  an  Act  should  be  pre- 
pared to  morrow  to  suppress  any  insurrection. 

Ordred  that  a writt  of  inquiry  be  issued  out  to  the 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Monmouth  to  return  a Jury 
upon  a Riott  committed  at  Woodbridge. 

At  a Councill  held  the  17P  of  May  present 
The  Deputy  Govern1. 

John  Royse 
Cap?  John  Bishop 
Tho:  Warne 

A message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  to 
acquaint  this  board  that  they  had  adjourned  to  two  of 
the  Clock  & then  this  board  adjourned  to  2 a Clock. 

Post  Merd:  present  as  above 

Samuel  Dennis,  Samuel  Walker,  Jediah  Higgins  & 
Benjamin  Burden  were  sent  to  this  board  from  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  acquaint  this  board  that 
they  had  considered  of  the  letter  sent  from  Lewis 
Morris  & George  Willocks,  but  did  wholly  leave  it  to 
this  board  & desired  they  would  take  such  measures 
as  they  should  judge  most  conducive  to  the  wellfare  & 
safety  of  this  Province. 

At  a Councill  held  the  19l.h  May  present 
The  Deputy  Govern". 

Tiio:  Warne 
Capt.  John  Bishop 
John  Royse 

This  board  being  informd  that  the  Speaker  & sev- 
erall  of  the  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
had  departed  without  giving  notice  thought  fitt  to  ad- 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOT.  INGOLDESBY.  485 


journe  till  further  occasion  having  heard  nothing  from 
them  since  their  message  of  adjornm-  last  night  The 
Speaker  went  away  early  in  the  morning  with  seaven 
of  the  members  of  the  House.  Johannes  Steenmeets 
having  acquainted  the  Deputy  Govern":  & Councill 
that  he  was  advised  by  some  persons  to  go  away  with 
them  & they  would  give  him  a bond  to  secure  or  save 
him  harmless. 

A True  Coppy  Extracted  out  of  the 
Councill  hook  of  the  Proprietors 
by  me  J.  Bass  Secretary 

We  whose  names  are  under  written  do  say,  that 
some  time  in  the  month  of  June  1700  was  at  the  house 
Abraham  Brown  in  Shrowsburry  in  company  with 
Lewis  Morris  Esqr  then  did  hear  him  say  that  he  had 
been  with  the  Govern":  Sc  had  taken  an  office  upon 
him  Sc  that  he  would  go  through  with  it,  &if  any  man 
resisted  him  he  would  spill  his  blood  or  he  should  spill 
his,  for  he  made  no  Scruple  of  Conscience,  & in  fur- 
ther discourse  the  sd  Morris  did  say  that  he  had  taken 
an  office  & he  would  go  through  with  it  tho  the 
Streets  run  with  blood. 

Joseph  Clarke 
Nicholas  Brown  Junr 
Sarah  Potter. 

Mr  Morris  did  say  that  he  would  quell  the  opposite 
party,  if  they  did  resist  the  authority,  or  he  would 
imbrew  the  Province  in  blood,  or  to  that  effect. 

July  5 1700  James  Bollen. 

No  19 

Upon  a Riott  committed  at  Woodbridge  the  thir- 
teenth day  of  May  1699  M"  Samuel  Dennes  Cap!  John 
Bishop  Sc  Mr  Samuel  Hale  the  next  Justices  of  the 
Peace  of  the  sd  County  issued  out  then*  warrant  to  the 


480  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1?09 


Sheriff  of  the  sd  County  to  Summon  Twenty  four  good 
men  qualified  as  the  Law  doth  direct  &c.  to  inquire  of 
the  sd  Riott,  the  Sheriff  return’d  as  followeth. 

Nathanael  Fitzrandolph  Thomas  Pike 


The  Jurors  being  Sworn  by  the  sd  Justices  brought 
in  as  followeth. 

We  Jurors  upon  our  oath  for  our  Soveraign  Lord  the 
King  present  Joseph  Woodrose  of  Elizabeth  Town, 
Ebenezer  Lyon,  John  Meaker  of  the  same  Towne, — 
Jonathan  Ogdon,  Jun!  Cap?  Isaac  Whitehead,  Justice 
Benjamin  Price  & Samuel  Winins  of  the  same  towne 
with  many  other  malefactors  & disturbers  of  the 
Peace  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King  unknown  the 
thirteenth  day  of  May  in  the  Eleventh  year  of  the 
Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King  that  now  is,  be- 
tween two  & four  in  the  morning  of  the  same  day  by 
force  & Arms  with  Clubbs  Staves  & other  weapons 
att  the  Town  of  Woodbridge  in  the  County  of  Middle- 
sex did  Riotously  assemble  together  & the  Common 
Jail  of  the  sd  County  at  Woodbridge  aforesd  in  the 
County  aforesd  did  riotously  breake,  & two  prisoners 
viz?  Lewis  Morris  & Gfeo:  Willocks,  then  & then  im 
prisoned  in  the  said  jail  as  it’s  said  for  severall  high 
crimes  & misdemeanours  did  Lett  out,  & Sett  out  att 
Liberty,  to  the  great  disturbance  of  his  Majesties  Peace 


John  Blumfield 
John  Allen 
Samuel  Mores 
William  Algure 
John  Moores 
John  Worth 
Francis  Walker 
Thomas  Higgins 
Jokabad  Smith 
Robert  Hemingway 


Benjamin  Curle 
Benjamin  Mannen 
John  Dennes 
William  Bingle 
John  Compton 
Joseph  Mannen 
John  Horner 
George  Browne 


James  Mores 
James  Grear 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY. 


487 


to  the  terror  of  the  people  & contrary  to  the  Statute 
against  Routs  & Ryotts  in  that  case  made  & provided. 
Nathaniel  Fitzrandolph  Sam:  Moore 


A True  Copy  P Edward  Slater  then  Clerk  to  the 
Justices. 

Note,  All  the  sd  Jurors  of  inquiry  signed  as  above, 
except  three  Stockmen  & that  one  of  Stock-parents 
tho  born  of  this  Country. 

No  24  Tint  on  July  the  13?  1698 

Gentlemen. 

Upon  the  Notice  I had  that  you  were  design’d  to 
Solicit  his  Majesty  I was  very  glad  you  were  resolute 
to  alter  your  present  circumstances  & I could  wish  the . 
other  Towns  of  this  unhappy  Province  were  as  truly 
sensible  of  this  condic’on  as  you  are. 1 I must  confess 
I should  not  be  troubled  were  those  who  believe  the 

Proprietors  C ts  & D s & love  their  Gov- 

ernmt  the  only  persons  hurt  by  it,  but  since  there  are 
others  that  are  involved  (by  the  folly  & slugishness  of 
the  former)  under  the  same  Calamity  of  being  Gov 
erned  by  base  inconsiderable  persons  who  realy  have 
not  the  right  to  Govern  I think  it  is  hard. 


1 It  does  not  appear  what  town  was  specially  addressed  by  this  communication, 
but  one  will  be  found  printed  in  Vol.  IL,  p.  270,  from  Newark  to  Perth  Amboy, 
Elizabethtown,  Woodbridge,  Freehold,  Bergen,  Shrewsbury,  Middletown,  Piscata- 
way  and  Aquackanonck— asking  for  their  co-operation  against  an  Act  passed  in 
the  interest  of  Gov.  Basse.— Ed. 


Tho:  Pike 
Jx?  Worth 
Jn?  Manning 
Jn?  Dennes 
John  Morris 
John  Compton 
Benj>  Corle 
Robert  Hemingway 


John  Homer 
Francis  Walker 
William  Bingle 
William  Algure 
John  Allen 
Jokabad  Smith 
Tho:  Higgins 
John  Blumfield 


Benjamin  Mannen. 


488  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


Xay  even  among  the  Mock  Lords  Proprietors  there 
are  some  that  deny  the  use  of  Arms  a Tenent  not  the 
safest  to  be  held  by  those  who  pretend  a right  to 
Governmt,  it  leaves  us  Xaked  & defenceless  a prey  to 
any  bold  intruder;  Subject  to  all  the  rage  of  a Cruel 
Enemy  & the  barbarous  insults  of  the  perfidious 
heathen  that  are  round  about  us.  I have  said  the 
Proprietors  have  not  the  right  to  govern  & its  from 
these  reasons. 

Is.1  It  was  only  granted  to  the  Duke,  & could  not  be 
granted  by  him  to  them,  especially  it  could  not  be  pur- 
chased by  them  as  a property:  for  if  it  could  be  pur- 
chased by  24,  they  might  divide  and  subdivide,  & so 
we  shall  have  24,  or  2400  parts,  for  they  pretend  to 
have  purchased  both,  & they  claim  these  parts  as  their 
property  as  well  as  the  Governm1  & they  have  a like 
right  to  both,  the  power  of  erecting  ports  being  in  the 
Lords  & C:  & the  power  of  Governmt.  in  the  nation  of 
England,  who  never  sold  it  to  the  Proprietors  I believe, 
& if  the  King  (of  whom  they  pretend  to  have  pur- 
chas’d) can  sell  any  part  of  the  Governm1  he  can  sell 
the  whole,  to  a Subject  or  to  foreigner  (for  I Know 
no  Law  that  restrains  the  one  & tolerates  the  other)  & 
so  may  sell  the  Kingdom  of  England  to  the  King  of 
France  to  morrow:  & it  seems  to  me  a contradiction  to 
have  the  Property  of  the  Governmt.  & at  the  same 
time  be  a Subject. 

2ly  If  the  Governm1,  is  alienable  I can't  find  that  it 
ever  was  abend  to  the  24  nor  so  much  as  a Liberty 
given  them  to  govern  (as  they  do  or  any  other  way ) 
the  Kings  Subjects  for  the  24  naturall  bodies  of  Tho: 
Hart,  Peter  Sonmans  & the  rest,  never  were  by  the 
King  incorporated,  & made  one  body  Politicque  by  any 
name,  nor  of  any  place  nor  none  of  their  grants  have 
words  sufficient  in  Law  to  make  them  so.  Ergo  no 
Right  to  Govern  &c*. 

After  all,  granting  it  Lawfull  for  the  Proprietors  to 


1709-]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBT.  489 

govern,  I humbly  conceive  it  not  expedient  they  should 
for  the  following  reasons. 

Imp*:  They  are  both  Judge  & party  wc^  cannot  be 
safe  for  the  people. 

2 If  it  was  possible  to  obtain  a JudgenP  against  them, 
they  have  no  effects  nor  are  there  bodys  here,  & if 
they  were,  how  should  the  Governor  & Propr.s  Keep 
the  GovenT  & Prop!!!  in  Prison,  or  the  Govern" : & Pro- 
prietors by  their  warrant  Levy  distress  upon  the 
Governour  & Proprietors  goods. 

3 In  case  any  tax  be  lay’d  the  Proprietors  Lands  pay 
nothing  which  could  be  remedied  if  we  were  under  an 
other  Govern  mt. 

4 All  that  purchasd  of  the  Indians  by  Govern": 
Nicholls  leave,  would  pay  them  no  Quitrents  which 
would  keep  money  in  the  Country. 

5 While  the  Proprietors  keep  the  Governing  it  keeps 
up  the  price  of  their  own  Land,  & lowers  that  of  the 
Inhabitants. 

6 Their  keeping  the  Govern m1  makes  the  Quitrents 
of  twice  the  value  they  otherwise  would  be. 

7 There  is  no  believing  anything  they  say  or  write 
as  may  be  seen  in  the  following  instances. 

Imprim  They  pretend  to  Ports  as  a property  pur- 
chas’d by  them. 

Contradict:  M"  Coll:  Basse  their  Govern":  in  his  last 
says  t’is  appointed  by  the  Lords  & C : 

Affirm:  In  their  Concessions  they  say  land  possess’d 
7 years  shall  not  be  subject  to  any  resurvey. 

Contrad:  They  Survey  & resurvey,  & they  pattent 
land  after  three  times  7 years  possession. 

Affirm:  They  say  in  their  last  letter  (where  M"  Wil- 
locks  signs  as  one  of  them)  that  the  Act  of  Parlainn 
disabled  Coll:  Hamilton  because  a Scotchman. 

Contrad:  Tho:  Gordon  Esq"  no  more  an  English  man 
then  Coll:  Hamilton  is  their  Secretary,  & Mf  Willocks 
as  I am  informd,  one  of  the  Councill  & their  Surveyor 
Gen1,1 


490  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

What  need  I instance  more,  here  is  say  & unsay 
enough,  & I know  you  are  very  sensible  of  them,  & 
so  must  every  body  else  that  will  give  them  selves  lib- 
erty to  think,  & if  it  be  either  safe  or  honourable  to 
live  under  such  masters  then  I mistake.  They  that 
like  the  Proprietors  Governm1.  may  say  what  they 
please  of  the  Kings  Governm?  & of  the  taxes  & bur- 
thens &c.  but  as  the  worthy  M-  Harrison  said  its  much 
better  to  be  govern’d  by  the  head  then  the  feet.  Their 
Quitrents  are  an  unjust  tax  upon  us  & our  heirs  for 
ever,  & their  Surveyor  pinching  here  a bitt,  & there  a 
patch  out  of  the  land  of  honest  men  which  they 
wrought  very  hard  to  pay  for,  is  not  the  most  pleasing 
thing  that  ever  was  done. 

And  as  much  as  they  crye  out  against  New- York  & 
the  great  hurt  it  will  be  to  the  people  to  be  under  the 
Kings  GovernnP.  yet  if  M-  Willocks  sells  the  Quitrents 
& the  people  refuse  to  maintain  some  Lousy  fellow 
that  they  will  send  for  a Governr:  they  will  be  the  first 
that  will  putt  us  there,  to  be  under  all  the  hardships 
aforesd:  & is  what  they  have  very  often  threatned  us 
with,  though  they  dare  as  well  eat  fire  as  do  it,  till  they 
have  gott  what  they  can  out  of  us,  wc.h  they  expect 
to  be  £6000  & then  they  will  do  it,  nott  for  our  pun- 
ishm1,  but  their  owne  convenience,  for  God  Knows 
they  care  not  one  straw  whether  the  King  or  the 
Devill  has  the  Governm*  if  they  have  the  money  in  it. 
Wretches!  that  consider  not  what  will  become  of  this 
poor  country  (for  such  it  will  be  with  a witness  if  ever 
the  Proprietors  gett  the  half  of  £6000  out  of  it)  so  as 
their  voracious  appetites  be  but  satisfied. 

I would  be  glad  to  hear  any  one  of  their  Admirers 
instance  but  one  good  thing  the  Proprrs  have  done  for 
the  Country,  show  where  they  have  Pr  formd  any  of 
the  many  promises  they  have  made  in  their  Conces- 
sions, & by  their  Governors,  what  trust,  what  faith 
is  there  in  them?  what  truth  in  their  letters?  where  is 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION’  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  491 

there  Integrity?  Justice,  honesty  and  fair  dealing  with 
the  Country?  Instance  you  that  can,  for  I can  not. 

Well,  after  all  shall  we  lye  in  the  Ditch,  & cry  help 
Lord?  there  is  a fable  in  Esop,  of  a Country  man  that 
had  his[cart  myr’d  & prayed  to  Jupiter  for  help,  Jupiter 
being  easily  intreated  bid  the  Swain  putt  his  back  to 
the  wheels,  & Immediately  his  oxen  being  putt  for- 
ward drew  his  cart  out  of  the  mire.  We  are  in  the 
Swains  case,  deeply  in  the  mire,  & a heavy  Load  upon 
our  backs,  and  we  may  pray  & pray  & pray  again,  we 
are  never  like  to  gett  out,  except  we  pay  as  well  as  pray, 
we  must  all  sett  our  shoulders  to  the  wheels,  or  it 
won't  do:  The  Poet  is  much  in  the  right  on ’t  when  he 
says. — 

We  to  our  Selves  are  gods,  they  Thrive  who  dare 
And  fortune  is  a foe  to  Sloathf ull  prayer. 

My  Zeal  for  the  Cause  I fear  has  made  me  tire  your 
Patience,  I shall  conclude  in  telling  you  I believe  M- 
Nicholl  will  be  the  fittest  man  to  serve  you,  if  he  de- 
clines it,  (as  I hope  he  will  not)  if  you  accept  of  my 
Service,  I will  do  my  endeavour  to  serve  you  to  effect, 
but  what  ever  you  do,  get  Mr  Nicholl  & lett  not  a 
small  sum  part  you:  for  he  is,  & so  I profess  my  self 
to  be 

Gentlemen 

A Zealous  Friend  to  your  true  Intrest 
Copia  vera  and  your  most  humble  Servant 

P Sam:  Whitehead  L.  Morris 

No  26 

Sirs! 

According  to  my  promise  (though  I have  been  much 
hindred  by  better  business  then  the  troubling  my 
thoughts  about  you)  I have  prov’d  that  most  of  your 
Acts  of  Governm’t.  have  been  unlawfull,  as  to  my 
own  imploymen-  & the  methods  have  been  took  with 


Presumed  to  have  been  addressed  to  the  Representatives  in  Assembly. — Ed. 


492  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

me,  I shall  at  present  say  little,  but  I would  not  have 
you  think ’t  is  because  I can’t  alledge  any  thing  against 
your  barbarous  proceedings.  I shall  take  a time  if  I 
live,  effectually  to  convince  you,  & expose  to  the  world 
your  Injustice,  & I was  a going  to  say  your  Ignor- 
ances; but  were  I assur’d ’t  were  only  that  (so  farr  as 
it  concerns  myself)  I should  pass  by  all,  for  humanum 
est  Errare. 

As  a proem  then  to  my  following  discourse,  be 
pleased  to  Know,  that  all  your  dark  designs  & Con 
sultations  are  not  only  Known  to  those  you  have  en 
deavoured  to  hide  them  from,  but  in  spight  of  your 
Politiques,  baffled.  Your  Idolls  Letters  & your  own 
mett  with  the  fate  they  deserv’d,  being  laught  at  & 
rediculd  by  those  you  sent  them  to,  and  your  seifs 
made  the  fit  objects  of  a just  contempt  scorne  & de- 
rision. I should  be  very  sparing  of  your  Govern"; 
(not  that  I dread  his  punishmt)  & Call  his  male  Ad- 
ministration, the  ill  effects  of  your  furious  & incon- 
siderate Councill  (as  no  doubt  for  the  most  part  they 
were)  had  I not  an  instance  wc*  adds  Malice  to  his 
folly  & falsehood:  & y1  is  his  writing  to  the  Proprie- 
tors yl  Coll:  Hamilton  ruled  after  an  arbitrary  power, 
& dispotick  manner,  & that  the  Convulsions  of  the 
Jerseys  were  occasioned  by  him.  What  could  move 
that  vain  Orator  to  write  that  malitious  lye,  or  is  it 
an  arrow  out  of  your  Quiver?  could  either  he  or  you 
think  that  your  false  & Villainous  oppression  of  a 
worthy  Gentleman  would  make  the  Proprietors  con- 
tinue the  rains  of  Governm*  in  the  hands  of  such 
a feeble  & unexperienced  Charioteer,  or  do  you  think 
your  fustian  letter  to  the  Proprietors  to  w01!  M"  Basse 
signs  him  self  would  do  that  great  feat?  In  it  you 
magnify  his  courage  & conduct  & tell  them  you  are 
well  enough  justifyed  with  his  approbation  & wish  the 
country  were  so  too,  Your  Reasons  for  not  calling  the 
Assembly  you  have  also  sent  them,  & your  crude 
opinion  about  taking  the  Ship,  with  abundance  more 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  493 


of  senseless,  incoherent,  & contradictory  stuff:  for 
wY  you  were  honestly  laughd  at.  For  God’s  sake 
Gentlemen  answer  me  a Civill  Question.  In  what  ac- 
tion itt  is  Mr  Basse  has  shown  so  muchconduct  & cour- 
age, in  sending  up  the  Privateer  to  N:  York  (after  he 
had  refused  them  by  the  advice  of  his  Councill)  be- 
cause my  Ld  bid  him  refuse  sending  of  them  if  he 
dared?  Is  it  in  caressing  the  E:  of  Bello mont  after 
his  L’dp  has  told  him  he  was  a base  mean  spirited  fel- 
low & wondred  he  had  the  impudence  to  come  into 
his  presence? 

Is  it  his  opening  his  breast  desiring  my  Ld  to  run  him 
thorow,  for  he  could  not  live  in  his  displeasure?  Is  it 
his  fawning  upon  Coll:  Fletcher  after  so  publick  affront 
received  from  him?  isit  his  Duel  with  MY  Bond,  or  is  it 
his  letting  the  ship  Hester  be  surprized  when  he  might 
have  prevented  her  being  so?  having  notice  of  the 
souldiers  coming  a large  hour  before  their  arrivall?  is  it 
his  refusing  to  head  men  or  to  Commissionate  any 
other  to  do  so  to  retake  her?  Is  it  his  fawning  upon 
the  Souldiers,  & presenting  Capt.  Matthews  with 
brandy  &c.  & desiring  them  not  to  be  angry,  when 
with  their  continued  insults  they  were  ridiculing  the 
GovernuP  of  the  Jerseys.  For  which  of  these  Acts  is 
it  that  you  magnify  his  courage  & conduct,  or  for  what 
is  it?  on  the  contrary  has  he  not  on  all  occasions  basely 
prostituted  the  Honr:  of  Governmt.  & made  E:  Jersey 
contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  its  neighbours,  & with 
what  face,  I pray  you?  Could  you  tell  the  Prop’rs,  you 
were  satisfy ’d  with  his  approbation,  did  you  ever  See 
it,  or  any  thing  like  it,  or  do  you  Know  the  form  of 
one?  or  do  you  dream  that  the  Dedemus  Potestatem 
(in  wc^  he  is  not  named  & never  was  designed  for  him) 
is  an  approbation?  or  the  guilt  trunck  carry ’d  about 
upon  a mans  shoulder,  or  the  book  of  rites  with  guilt 
letters  on  the  back  of  it,  or  what  is  it  that  Satisfy’d 
you  of  his  approbation?  but  I Know  you  are  not  Satis- 
fy’d of  any  such  thing  but  have  writt  a falsehood  to 


494  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 

the  Proprietors,  for  you  Know  very  well  that  they 
could  sent  nothing  would  have  satisfyd  the  Country 
but  the  Kings  approbation,  which  you  would  not  have 
writt  for,  if  you  had  it  by  you.  The  Prop1-?  Letter  say- 
ing he  was  approved  you  Knew  would  never  do,  they 
having  already  writt  so,  & not  believ’d  by  the  Country. 
Besides  M1.  Willocks  who  signs  as  one  of  them,  told 
you  that  it  was  a trick  putt  upon  the  Prop’rs,  & that 
he  & the  rest  were  persuaded  upon  MJ  Bass  his  say  so, 
to  sign  it,  but  that  ever  he  saw  any  approbation  he  ut- 
terly denys,  & would  have  said  as  much  to  the  whole 
Assembly,  had  it  not  been  prevented  from  discovering 
the  Cheat,  so  that  you  Know  well  enough  he  was  not 
approved,  only  you  hoped  he  might  which  made  you 
venture  to  bely  your  selves  to  the  Prop1'.8,  who  could 
not  choose  but  wonder  how  you  could  be  satisfyd 
with  any  thing  y4  nature,  & they  Know  nothing  on  it. 
As  to  the  Ship  I doubt  not  butt  to  hear  you  acknowl- 
edge your  error.  And  since  we  are  upon  courage  & 
conduct  give  me  leave  to  say,  I believe  you  (like  Par- 
rotts) use  the  words  not  Knowing  the  true  Sence  & 
meaning  of  them,  as  for  Courage  I doubt  not  butt  I 
have  great  proof  in  your  own  breasts,  how  much  you 
Know  of  it  to  wc.h  I refer  you,  & if  you  realy  Know 
what  conduct  was  (I  mean  a prudent  conduct)  doubt- 
less something  of  it  would  appear  in  your  actions.  I 
suppose  you  value  your  seifs  very  much,  upon  your 
conduct  last  Assembly  (viz)  your  raising  a tax  to  ruin 
the  Country,  your  advising  to  take  away  the  writt  from 
the  Constable,  your  first  corrupting  a part  of  the  As- 
sembly, & then  persuading  them  to  make  a lying  flat- 
tering Address  to  Mr.  Bass,  wci!  notwithstanding  your 
utmost  powers  & contrivances  shall  never  answer  the 
end  you  designed  it  for,  & both  you  & he  shall  heart- 
ily wish  it  never  had  been  done.  Your  denying  me 
the  Kings  writt,  & other  your  little,  mean,  & unjust 
proceedings,  I suppose  may  be  putt  into  the  number  of 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  495 

your  prudent  actions,  & for  w?  if  I live  you  shan’t 
want  a remembrancer. 

You  were  very  hott  in  binding  us  to  our  good  beha- 
viors, & we  think  you  had  no  reason  for  it,  nor  cannot 
tax  us  with  any  immorality,  but  before  you  do,  please 
to  Know  that  we  never  yet  plotted  to  take  the  Crown 
from  our  Sovereigns  head,  nor  to  stain  our  hands  with 
the  blood  of  the  Lords  annointed,  nor  to  seize  old 
Bowly,  nor  did  we  expect  the  coming  over  of  the 
Kingdom  in  9 days  time  that  a Barbarous  Murther  & 
Rebellion  might  be  crowned  with  a wicked  success, 
we  never  yet  made  a woman  well  stuffd  with  bastard 
the  wife  of  an  honest  man,  nor  cheated  the  widdow  & 
fatherless:  nor  are  we  accounted  common  whore  mas- 
ters, we  never  banterd  Death  to  cheat  our  Creditors, 
we  have  no  news  from  the  other  World,  nor  can  be  the 
Instance  to  the  Quakers  as  good  proofs  of  the  Resur- 
rection: we  never  made  over  our  Estates  in  trust  to 
evade  paying  our  full  debts,  we  never  yet  pretended 
to  pay  our  obligations  with  the  Seasons  of  the  year,  nor 
do  we  know  how  to  make  a Marchantable  winter,  we 
Know  where  extortion  & Drunkenness  are  almost 
Quotidian  crimes,  but  I think  you  cannot  alledge  them 
against  M!  Willocks  or  my  self  L:  Morris. 


New  Jersey  County  Essex 

No  28 

At  a Court  of  Generali  Quarter  Sessions  of  the 
Peace  held  before  Her  Maj^8  Justices  of  the  Peace  for 
the  County  of  Essex  at  the  Towne  of  Newark  on  the 
Second  Tuesday  in  February  Anno  Regni  Annse  Reg- 
inae  &c  Secundo  170f 

Rich?  Townley  John  Treat  ] 

W“  Sandford  Theonhilus  Person  ! w sT  ,. 

John  Curtis  Elias" Machielsen  \ ^ Justices 

Benj*  Price  j 

February  the  9*?  170f 

We  the  Jurors  for  our  Sovereign  Lady  the  Queen 


496  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


with  an  unanimous  consent  not  one  dissenting  of  our 
fellows  but  do  present  the  severall  persons  under- 
named for  their  Riottously  assaulting  Rob*  Smith  Esqr 
high  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Essex  and  forcebly  took 
away  the  Keys  of  the  Prison  from  the  sd  Sheriff  & also 
took  away  as  prisoner  of  his  out  prison  namely  one 
Joseph  Parmiter  then  in  Custody,  as  is  formerly  re- 
corded in  the  other  book  of  Records  named  at  New- 
ark in  the  County  of  Essex  the  twelfth  day  of  Sep- 
tembr.  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  past  1700. 

In  behalf  of  my  fellow  Jurors, 


Imp1:  Sam1;  Whitehead  Sen:  Charles  Tucker  Jun: 


[The  proceedings  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  of  the 
County  of  Essex  on  September  29th,  1700,  then  follow, 
but  they  will  be  found  already  printed  in  Vol.  II.,  p. 

333.] 


Joseph  Harrison  foreman 


Joseph  Lyon 
Richd  Clarke 
Ephraim  Clarke 
Sam1:  Carter 
Jn°  Miles 
Sam1:  Clarke 
Simon  Nightingale 
James  Whitehead 
Abraham  Hettfield 
Jn°  Me  AKER 
Sam1:  Milner 
Jeremiah  Crain 
Dan1:  Crain 
Isaac  Bunnell 
Jeremiah  Jessop 


Benjamin  Ogdon  jun: 
Tho;  Thompson 
Benja  Lyon 
John  Thompson 
Tho:  Thompson 
Benja  Wade  junr: 
William  Whitehead 
William  Meaker 
Sam1:  Little 
Robt  Little 
Dan1;  Sears 
John  Lakan 
Isaac  Hatfield 
John  Allen 


A True  Coppy  examind  P me 
Edm:  Kingsland. 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  497 


Memorial  to  the  Lords  of  Trade , from  several  Proprie- 
tors of  New  Jersey , asking  for  a change  in  the 
Council , 

[From  P.  R.  O.  B.  T.  New  Jersey,  Vol.  1,  C.  80.] 

Memorial  of  Several  of  the  Proprietors  of  New 
Jersey  proposing  the  Dismission  of  6 of  the 
present  Council  of  that  Province  & recom- 
mending others 

To  the  Rt  Honoble  the  Lords  Comm™  for  Trade  and 
Plantations . 

We  the  Subscribers  being  the  Majority  of  the  Pro- 
prietors of  New  Jersey  in  America;  Residing  in  and 
about  the  City  of  London,  Do  humbly  represent  to 
Your  Lordships;  That  having  receiv’d  Sundry  Com- 
plaints from  that  Province;  of  the  Arbitrary  and  un- 
warrantable Proceedings  of  Some  of  the  Councill;  We 
take  this  opportunity,  upon  her  Majestys  appointing 
the  Honob!e  Colonel  Hunter  to  be  Governour  of  the  said 
Province,  humbly  to  desire  the  following  Persons  may 
be  left  out  of  his  Councill  viz1. 

Daniell:  Cox  Peter  Sonmans 
Roger:  Mompesson  Will”  Pinhorn 
Rich®  Townly  Will”  Sanford 

Who  have  all  of  them  Notoriously  endeavored  to 
distract  the  minds  of  the  People,  as  appears  by  the 
Printed  Address  of  the  Generali  Assembly  to  the  late 
Governour,  the  Lord  Lovelace;  And  more  especially 
W.  Sonmans,  whose  Male-Administration,  and  oppres- 
sion of  Her  Majesties  Subjects;  is  fully  set  forth  in  an- 
other Address.  Besides  which  Imputations  from  the 
32 


498  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOT.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


Representatives  of  the  Province,  We  take  leave  par- 
ticularly to  Charge  Mr  Cox.  and  W.  Sonmans  as  having 
grossly  abused  the  interest  they  had  in  the  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  to  the  Prejudice  of  the  Rights,  of  the  Proprietors, 
And  we  have  reason  to  fear;  should  they  be  continued 
of  the  Councill,  twill  be  difficult  to  obtaine  Justice 
against  them,  as  we  have  hitherto  found  by  ex- 
perience. 

We  therefore  humbly  offer  that  in  place  of  the  fore 
mentioned  persons;  these  Subjoyn’d;  or  Some  of  them 
may  be  of  the  Councill  for  the  Province  of  New- Jersey; 
being  Men  of  Estates  & known  Integrity.  Viz* 


Thomas  Gordon  Chief  Justice 


Miles  Foster  [Forster]  ) 

John  Hamilton  John  Barclay  > 
George  Willocks  John  Read  ) 
Thomas  Gardiner,  John  Hogg  ) 
Isaac  Merret  ) 


East  Division 
West  Division 


All  which  is  humbly  Submitted  to  Yor  Lordships. 
London  26*.h  Nov1:  1709. 

Tho:  Burrow. 

Joseph  Ormston  Isaac  Cocks 
John  Hollis 
Jo:  Bennett 


also  as  having 
procuration  from 
George  Willocks 
Edward  Anthill 
Miles  Foster 


E.  Richier 
Chas  Michel 
John  Norton 
Tho:  Bromfeild  Jo8  Brooksbank 
Ebenr  Jones  Jn°.  Bridges 
Rob  Michel 
Jn°  Slany 
Fra  Michel 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOV.  INGOLDESBY.  499 


From  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  the  Queen , asking  for  the 
restoration  of  Lewis  Morris  to  the  Council  of  Neiv 
Jersey. 

[From  N.  Y.  Col.  Documents,  Vol.  V.,  p 123.1 

To  the  Queens  Most  Excel?  Majesty 
May  it  Please  Your  Majesty 
(Extract) 

********  In  relation  to  the  council 
of  New  Jersey  Lewis  Morris  having  been  suspended  by 
Captain  Ingoldsby  the  Lieutenant  Governor  since  the 
death  of  the  late  Lord  Lovelace  for  reasons  which  do 
not  appear  to  us  sufficient,  We  humbly  offer  that  he 
be  restoredto  his  place  and  precedency  there,  and  there 
being  two  vacancies  in  the  said  Councill,  we  humbly 
offer  that  Thomas  Gordon  and  Thomas  Gardner  who 
have  been  well  recommended  to  us  by  the  Proprietors 
here,  as  persons  fit  to  serve  your  Majesty  in  that  sta- 
tion be  constituted  and  appointed  members  of  the  said 
Councill  that  the  number  of  Twelve  may  be  com 
pleat.1 

And  whereas  there  have  been  great  disputes  anddiffer- 
ences  between  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  New 
Jersey  and  both  have  addressed  to  your  Majesty,  each 
against  the  other,  and  as  Colonel  Hunter  who  is  now 
going  over  will  be  the  best  able  when  upon  the  place 
to  inform  himself  of  the  matter  contained  in  the  said 
Address,  we  humbly  offer  that  he  have  an  Instruction 
from  Your  Majesty  requiring  him  to  examine  into  the 
causes  and  reasons  of  the  said  differences  and  to  en- 


1 By  an  order  of  Council,  December  25th,  1709,  the  recommendations  of  the 
Lords  of  Trade  were  directed  to  be  carried  out.— Ed. 


500  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESBY.  [1709 


deavour  all  he  can,  to  compose  the  same.  And  that  in 
case  he  shall  meet  with  any  obstruction  therein,  that 
then  he  represent  the  matter  as  it  shall  appear  to  him ; 
to  one  of  Your  Majestys  principal  Secretaries  of  State, 
and  to  Your  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions for  Your  Majestys  pleasure  thereupon,  and  there- 
fore we  take  leave  to  add  hereunto  the  Draught  of  an 
Additional  Instruction  for  that  purpose  * * * * * 
********  au  which  is  most  respectfully 
submitted. 

Stamford 
Dartmouth 
Ph.  Meadowes 
Jn0  PULTENEY 

Whitehall  Rob1  Monckton 

Decembr  23d  1709.  Cha.  Turner 


Letter  f rom  Thomas  Gordon  to  the  Secretary  of  State , 
asking  for  restoration  to  the  office  of  Chief  Justice. 

[From  P.  R.  O.  America  and  West  Indies,  Yol.  575.] 

Tho:  Gordon  from  New  Jersey  December  1709 

My  Lord 

I have  presumed  to  send  your  Lordship,  a Duplicate 
of  the'  Last  Assemblys  address,  to  be  layd  before  Her 
most  sacred  Majestie.  For  as  soon  as  the  Assembly 
had  Complyed  with  Her  Majesties  Commands,  and 
Raised  both  men  and  money  for  the  Expedition  against 
Canada,  the  Lewtennant  Governour  Dissolved  the  As- 
sembly. I begg  leave  Humbly  to  Represent  to  your 
Lordship  that  my  Lord  Lovelace  ( a Good  & pious  man 
whose  death  is  greatly  Lamented)  was  pleased  in 
Aprill  last,  to  appoint  me  Cheife  Justice  of  this 


1709]  ADMINISTRATION  OF  LIEUT.  GOY.  INGOLDESB Y.  501 

her  Majesties  Province,  to  the  GJ-enerall  Satisfaction  of 
yu  Country,  in  the  Room  of  Roger  &ompesson  Esqr. 
who  had  surrendred  that  Office  to  Her  Majestie,  and 
now  in  August  last,  The  Lewtennant  Governour,  has 
putt  the  said  Roger  Mompesson  Esq’r  into  said  office 
again,  without  assigning  Any  Reason  for  suspending 
of  me,  nor  Indeed  is  there  any,  having  always  in  that, 
and  all  other  Offices,  behaved  my  self,  as  a Loyall  and 
faithfull  Subject  to  Her  Majestie,  and  honestly  served 
the  Country.  I hop  Her  Majestie  will  be  most  Gra- 
ciously pleased,  as  a mark  of  Her  Royall  favour  to  Me, 
and  the  Respect  and  Esteem  due  to  the  memory  of 
My  Good  Lord  Lovelace,  whose  death  is  so  much  Con  - 
doled,  to  Order  the  next  Governour,  to  Restore  me  to 
that  Office  again,  wherein  I Humbly  Begg  your  Lord- 
ships  Assistance,  which  I hop  (God  willing)  shall  be 
for  her  Majesties  service,  and  the  Good  of  the  Country, 
which  shall  be  my  Constant  Care  and  Endeavour  to 
the  utmost  of  my  ability.  I humbly  Crave  your  Lord- 
ships  pardon  for  this  trouble,  and  Remain  with  all 
sincerity 

My  Lord 

Your  Lordships  most  humble  faithfull 

and  obedient  Servant 


1 On  page  10G  of  Vol.  II.,  a representation  of  Mr.  Gordon’s  signature  is  given,  as  he 
then  wrote  it,  but  later  in  life  he  adopted  the  style  in  the  text. 


/ 


. 


INDEX. 


INDKX. 


A. 


Abbat:  John,  165. 

Algure:  William,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Allen:  George,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Corn  bury, 
212,  213. 

Allen:  Nathan,  165. 

Allen : John,  Grand  Juror  on  Woodbridge 
riot.  486,  487,  and  in  Essex  county, 
496. 

Arents:  Dr.  Jacob,  421,  451. 

Anderson:  William,  Removed  by  Lord 
Cornbury  from  the  clerkship  of  the 
Assembly,  227,  261 

Andrews:  Ephraim,  Petitions  Assembly 
about  East  Jersey  records,  220. 

Ashton:  James,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  213. 

Assembly:  Address  of,  to  Gov.  Cornbury, 
November,  1703,  11.— Mode  of 

choosing  the  members  of,  97,  100.— 
Addresses  of  Lord  Cornbury  to, 
April  7th  and  9th,  1707, 165-169.— Com- 
plaints of,  against  Lord  Cornbury, 
171.— Remonstrance  of,  against  cer- 


tain evils,  173.— The  Governor’s 
answer,  180.— Colonel  Quary’s  com- 
ments on,  234-239.— Address  of,  in 
answer  to  Lord  Cornbury’s  reply  to 
then-  remonstrance,  342.— Comments 
of,  on  Lord  Combury’s  animadver- 
sions upon  the  Proprietors,  257,  258.— 
Claim  the  privilege  of  expelling  a 
member  without  the  authority  of  the 
Governor,  265.— Lord  Cornbury  re- 
ports several  members  of,  as  not 
qualified,  269.— Address  of  the  Coun- 
cil against,  287.— Minutes  of  meeting, 

1708,  291.— Documents  connected  with 
proceedings  of,  in  March  and  April, 

1709,  360-368.— Address  of,  to  Lord 
Lovelace,  368.— Answer  thereto  by 
the  Council,  372.— Address  of,  to  Lord 
Lovelace,  respecting  Peter  Sonmans, 
374.— Ditto,  respecting  Peter  Faucon- 
nier,  379.— Address  of,  to  the  Queen, 
in  answer  to  address  of  Council,  385. 
—Letter  to,  from  Lewis  Morris,  on 
their  unlawful  proceedings,  491. 


B. 


Bacon:  John.  165. 

Bellinger:  Henry,  164. 

Barclay:  John,  Prohibited  by  Lord  Corn- 
bury from  collecting  quit  rents,  132, 
253.— Complaint  of,  therefor,  331. — 
Arrested  on  Whitsunday,  by  order  of 
P.  Sonmans,  375, 420. — Recommended 
for  Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498. 

Basse:  Jeremiah,  Appointment  of,  as 
Secretary  of  New  Jersey,  objected  to 
by  P.  Sonmans,  23.— Representa- 
tion of  case  of,  26.— Accused  of 
taking  West  Jersey  records  out  of 
the  Province,  127,  152,  253,  254,  325.— 
His  party’s  actions  narrated  by 
Lewis  Morris,  275-277.— His  proceed- 
ings referred  to,  445.— Certificate  of, 
relative  to  Sonmans’  affairs,  458-460. 
— Complained  of  by  Lewis  Morris  to 
the  Assembly,  492. 

Bennett:  Joseph,  A West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietor, 95,  498. 

Bergen:  Inhabitants  of,  asked  for  trees, 
149. 


Bickley:  Abraham,  Proposed  for  the 
Council,  51. 

Bickly:  Mrs..  Contributes  to  a fund  sup- 
posed to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  213, 
214. 

Biddle:  William,  One  of  the  Proprietors’ 
agents,  221. 

Biles:  William,  165. 

Billing,  (Byllynge):  Edward,  413. 

Bingla,  (Bingle):  William,  Affidavit 

against  Lewis  Morris,  476.— Grand 
Juror  on  Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Bishop:  John,  Affidavit  respecting  pro- 
ceedings of  Peter  Sonmans,  454. — 
One  of  the  Council,  484. 

Blomfield:  John,  Petitions  Assembly 
about  East  Jersey  records,  220.— 
Gi'and  Juror  on  Woodbridge  riot, 
486,  487. 

Bollen:  James,  Statement  against  Lewis 
Morris,  485. 

Borden:  Jean,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  214. 

Boude:  Grimstone,  Affidavit  against 
Lewis  Morris  and  Geo.  Willocks,  477. 


506 


INDEX. 


Bowne:  Andrew,  1,  64,  75,  155,  156,  482.— 
Contributes  to  a fund  thought  to  be 
for  Lord  Combury,  212.— Appointed 
one  of  Lord  Lovelace’s  Council,  317.— 
Dies,  340,  841. 

Bowne:  Chadwick,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  212, 
214. 

Bowne:  Janies,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  212. 

Bowne:  John,  Collecting  money  thought 
to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  98,  199,  201- 
218,  277.— Expelled  from  Assembly, 
227,  277. — Recommended  for  the 

Council  by  Lord  Cornbury,  340,  341. 

Bray:  John,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury, 
212. 

Brian:  Thomas,  164. 

Bridges:  John,  Surveyor  General  of 

Woods,  122 

Bridges:  Dr.,  Chief  Justice  of  New  York, 
confidant  of  Lord  Cornbury,  277. 


Bridges:  John,  one  of  the  Proprietors, 
38,  95,  216,  217,  498. 

Brooksbank:  Joseph,  One  of  the  Proprie- 
tors, 38,  95,  498. 

Brown:  Abraham,  485. 

Brown:  John,  Difficulties  with  Peter 
Sonmans,  376,  423,  428,  452,  458. 

Brown,  Junior:  Nicholas,  Statement  of 
against  Lewis  Morris,  485. 

Browne:  George,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486. 

Bunnell:  Grand  Juror  Essex  County,  496. 

Burlington:  Transportation  between, 

and  Perth  Amboy,  177,  186,  250,  3^7, 
410.— Loi'd  Combury  censured  by  the 
Assembly  for  not  being  there  more 
of  the  time,  174,  247.— Governor's  re- 
ply thereto,  181,  185. 

Burnett:  Obadiah,  One  of  the  Propx-ie- 
tors,  38. 

Burr:  Henry,  164. 

Burrow:  Thomas,  A West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietor, 95. 

Byerly:  Mr.,  271. 


C 

Carle  (Corle):  Benjamin,  Grand  Juror  on 
Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Carter:  Samuel,  Grand  Juror  Essex 
County,  496. 

Clark:  John,  165. 

Clarke:  Ephraim,  Grand  Juror  Essex 
County,  496. 

Clarke:  Joseph,  Statement  against 

Lewis  Morris,  485. 

Clarke:  Richard,  Grand  Juror  Essex 

County,  496. 

Clarke:  Samuel,  Grand  Juror  Essex 
County,  496. 

Clayton:  Asher,  Affidavit  relative  to  a 
fund  thought  to  be  for  Lord  Corn- 
bury, 214. 

Clayton:  John,  Similar  affidavit,  214. 

Cockerell:  Thomas,  Secretary  of  Lord 
Lovelace,  467. — Letter  from,  on  his 
lordship’s  death,  466. 

Collings:  Francis,  One  of  the  Proprie- 
tors’ Council,  221. 

Collyer:  Joseph,  A West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tor, 95. 

Commissioners  for  New  York,  New  Jer- 
sey and  Connecticut,  64. 

Compton:  John,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Cook:  Steven,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Combury,  212. 

Combury:  John,  Lord,  Publishes  his 
commission  as  Governor  of  New 
Jersey,  1,— Speech  of.  to  Assembly, 
November,  1703,  8.— Adjourns  As- 
sembly, 12,  21.— Difficulty  between, 
and  Lieut.  Gov.  Ingoldesby,  67,  68. — 
Visits  Salem,  80.— Additional  instruc- 
tion to,  about  the  number  of  repre- 
sentatives, 96.— About  revenue,  99. — 
Names  the  church  at  Burlington  St. 
Ann’s,  107.— Complained  against  by 
Richard  Ingoldesby,  109.— Meets  As- 
sembly at  Amboy  Oct.  15th,  1705,  112. 
—His  comments  on  his  instructions, 
119.— Directed  to  restoi’e  Lewis  Mor- 
ris to  the  Council,  124.— Complaints 
against  him  answered  by  Wm. 
Sloper,  his  agent,  133.— Lords  of 


Trade  inquire  about  his  salary.  144.— 
Asks  inhabitants  of  Bergen  for  trees, 
149.— Affidavit  of  George  Ingoldesby 
against,  150.— Explanation  about  re- 
moval of  records,  156  — Speeches  of, 
to  Assembly,  April,  1707,  165-169.— 
Additional  instructions  to,  about 
death  or  absence,  169. — Petition  of 
Assembly  against,  171.— Assembly 
remonstrate  against  certain  evils, 
173.— Answers  tne  Assembly,  180. — 
Deaies  having  received  any  money, 
194,  227,  233.— His  reasons  for  dis- 
solving the  first  Assembly,  195. — 
Visits  Salem  and  Newcastle,  230. — 
Address  of,  with  Council,  to  the 
Queen,  on  the  success  of  her  arms, 
240.— Assembly  replies  to  his  answer 
to  their  remonstrance,  242. — Assem- 
bly accuses  him  of  receiving  money, 
262.— His  treatment  of  two  clergy- 
men of  the  Church  of  England,  264.— 
Comments  of  Lewis  Morris,  277,  278. 
—Forwards  an  address  to  the  Queen 
from  the  Council,  objecting  to  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Assembly,  *85.— Pro- 
ceedings with  Assembly  May,  1708, 
292-298.— Memorial  to,  from  Peter 
Sonmans  against  John  Harrison,  306. 
On  emigration  from  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  333.— Papers  in  his 
hands,  357. 

Council  of  New  Jersey:  Action  of,  on 
complaint  of  John  Barclay,  332.— Ad- 
dress of,  to  the  Queen,  364.— Assem- 
bly’s comments  on  the  address,  368- 
372. — Address  of,  to  Lord  Lovelace, 
372.— Address  of,  relating  to  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Assembly,  3U0.  -Pro- 
ceedings of,  on  complaints  against 
Geo.  Willocks  and  Lewis  Morris,  483. 

Crain:  Jeremiah,  Grand  Juror  Essex 
County,  496. 

Crain:  Jonn,  201. 

Crain:  Daniel,  Grand  Juror  Essex 

County,  496. 

Court  of  Common  Right:  Proceedings  of, 
against  Lewis  Morris,  479.— Against 
Isaac  Whitehead,  480. 


INDEX. 


507 


Courts  of  New  Jersey:  Various  in  juris- 
diction, 4.— Modifications  of,  72. 

Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions  for 
Essex  County:  Joseph  Panniter  in- 
dicted by  Grand  Jury  of,  496. 

Cox:  James,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Combury,  212. 

Cox:  Joseph,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  212. 

Coxe  (Cox),  Junior:  Daniel:  Objected  to 
as  one  of  the  Council,  35.— Answers 
the  objections,  42.— Recommended 
for  the  Council  of  Lord  Cornbury, 


Dare:  William,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  215, 
216. 

Davenport:  Francis,  One  of  Gov.  Corn- 
bury’s Council,  2,  63,  155.— Appointed 
one  of  Lord  Lovelace’s  Council,  317. — 
Dies,  340,  341. 

Day:  John,  165. 

Deacon:  George,  One  of  Gov.  Cornbury’s 
Council,  2,  65, 155.— One  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  Proprietors,  221.— Did  not  ap- 
prove of  Lord  Cornbury’s  reply  to 
the  Assembly’s  remonstrance,  225. — 
Nominated  for  Council  under  Lord 
Lovelace,  299.— And  appointed,  317. 

Dennes:  John,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Dennes:  Samuel,  Referred  to,  202,  203.— 
Affidavit  of,  in  support  of  Assembly’s 
remonstrance,  200.— Petitions  the  As- 
sembly about  East  Jersey  Records, 
220.— One  of  the  Council,  482. 


E 


East  Jersey  Records:  Disposition  of, 
objected  to,  175,  254.— Cornbury’s 
explanation  respecting,  185.— Peti- 
tion to  Assembly  concerning.  219. 

Edsall:  John,  Affidavit  of  against  Lewis 
Morris  and  Geo.  Willocks,  477. 

Elkinton:  Edward,  165. 

Emly:  William,  One  of  the  first  Com- 


78.—Memorial  of,  against  the  Qua- 
kers and  the  mode  of  electing  mem- 
bers, 82  —Proposed  for  the  Council 
by  the  Lords  of  Trade,  115.— Notice 
of,  116.— Appointed  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil, 125.— About  to  leave  England  for 
New  York,  132.— Attends  the  Coun- 
cil, 160,  290,— Objected  to  as  one  of 
the  Council,  301.— Appointed  one  of 
Lord  Lovelace’s  Council,  317.— Re- 
ferred to,  459. — Proprietors  ask  that 
he  may  be  left  out  of  Gov.  Hunter’s 
Council,  497. 


Dockwra:  William,  Answers  the  objec- 
tions to  Peter  Sonmans,  39.— Petition 
of,  about  Staten  Island  title,  61. — 
Memorial  of,  about  the  Quakers  and 
the  qualifications  of  members  of  As- 
sembly, 82.— Proposes  Peter  Sonmans 
for  the  Council,  101,  125.— Referred 
to,  291.— Advocates  Sonmans’  ap- 
pointment, 312-316.— Transmits  sun- 
dry documents  respecting  Lewis 
Morris.  George  Willocks  and  others, 
475. 

Doeminique:  Paul,  One  of  the  Proprie- 
tors, 38,  50,  95. — Notice  of,  51. 

Drake:  George,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury,  205. 

Drake:  John,  Contributes  to  the  sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  200,  218.— Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace,  455, 

Dunnam:  Edmond,  Contributes  to  the 
supposed  Cornbury  fund,  200,  211, 
217,  218. 


missioners  to  buy  and  lay  out  lands, 
221. 

Evans:  Colonel,  Begins  a fort  at  New- 
castle, 230.— Interview  with  Lord 
Cornbury  at  Salem,  231.— Complains 
of  a master  of  some  New  Jersey  ves- 
sel, 231,  232. 

Evens:  William,  165. 

Eves:  Thomas,  165. 


F. 


Farmer:  Thomas,  Member  of  Assembly. 
294,  295. 

Fauconnier:  Peter.  Receiver  General, 

- Refuses  to  furnish  vouchers,  283. — 
Accounts  of,  350-356.— Report  of,  on 
certain  papers,  357. — Lord  Lovelace 
appealed  to,  respecting,  397.— Memo- 
rial from,  to  Lord  Cornbury,  388. 

Fenimore:  Richard,  164. 

Ferris:  Samuel,  165. 

Fisher:  William,  Sheriff  of  Burlington 
County,  Continued  in  office  by  Gov. 
Cornbury  after  suspension  by  the 
Council,  152, 153. 


Fitzrandolph:  Joseph,  Affidavit  of,  in 
support  of  the  Assembly’s  remon- 
strance, 198.— Contributes  to  the  sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  200. 

Fitzrandolph:  Nathaniel,  Grand  Juror 
on  Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Forster  (Foster):  Miles,  Proposed  for  the 
Council,  51,  95,  299.— Appointed  a 
member  of  Lord  Lovelace’s  Council, 
302.— Notice  of,  302.— Recommended 
for  Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498. 

France:  Correspondence  with  England 
carried  to,  60. 


508 


INDEX 


G. 


Gardiner:  Thomas,  Objected  to  as  a 
Representative  in  Assembly,  88, 127, 
137,  151. — Summoned  by  Lord  Corn-> 
bury  to  show  his  authority  as  one  of 
the  Council  of  West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tors, 158.— One  of  the  Governor’s 
Council,  221.— Referred  to,  415.— 
Recommended  for  Council  of  Gov. 
Hunter,  498. 

Gordon:  Thomas,  Elected  High  Sheriff, 
15.— Complained  of,  135,  189,  195.— 
Referred  to,  216,  219,  253,  263,  377,  431- 
433,  453,  478,  479.— Elected  Speaker  of 
the  Assembly,  292,  298,  359,  372,  378.— 
Complained  of  by  the  Council  to  Lord 
Lovelace,  393,  394,  400,  403,  405.— Pro- 
ceedings against,  by  Court  of  Com- 


H. 


mon  Right,  480.— Presented  by  the 
Grand  Jury,  481. — Recommended  for 
the  Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498.— 
Petitions  the  Secretary  of  State  to  be 
reinstated  as  Chief  Justice,  500. 

Gosling:  John,  164. 

Grand  Jury:  On  Woodbridge  riot,  486. 

Grear:  James,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486. 

Greenaway:  Richard,  a West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietor, 95. 

Griffith : Attorney  General,  71. 

Grover:  James,  Contributes  to  the  sbp- 
posed  Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Grover:  Sefty,  Affidavit  in  support  of 
the  remonstrance  of  the  Assembly, 
211. 


Haines:  John,  165. 

Haines:  Richard,  164. 

Hale:  Samuel,  Petitions  Assembly  about 
East  Jersey  records,  220. 

Hall:  William,  Proposed  for  the  Council, 
95,  299,  302,  309.— One  of  the  Council 
of  Proprietors,  221.— Appointed  one 
of  Lord  Lovelace’s  Council,  317 

Hamilton:  Andrew,  Favors  the  Quakers, 
15.— Referred  to  by  Lewis  Morns, 
275-276,  489,  492. 

Hamilton:  John,  Proposed  for  the  Coun- 
cil, 299,  302,  498. 

Hampton:  Andrew,  479. 

Harrison:  John,  Proposed  for  the  Coun- 
cil, 95,  299,  302,  309,  490.— P.  Sonmans’ 
memorial  respecting,  306. — To  be  su- 
perseded in  Lord  Lovelace’s  Council 
by  Lewis  Morris,  329.— Referred  to, 
430-431,  459,  460. 

Harrison:  Joseph,  Foreman  Essex 

County  Grand  Jury,  496. 

Hartshorne : Richard,  Contributes  to  the 
supposed  Cornbury  fund,  212.— Mem- 
ber of  Council,  483. 

Hartshorne:  William,  Contributes  to  the 
supposed  Cornbury  fund,  213. 

Hatfield:  Isaac,  Grand  Juror  of  Essex 
County,  496. 

Heathcote:  Caleb,  Recommended  as 
Governor  by  his  brother  Gilbert,  284. 

Helmsley:  Joseph,  One  of  the  first  Com- 
missioners to  buy  and  lay  out  land, 
221. 


Hemingway:  Robert,  Grand  Juror  on 
Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Hester:  Ship,  492. 

Hetfield:  Abraham,  Grand  Juror  Essex 
County,  496. 

Heulings:  William,  164. 

Higgins:  Judadiah  (Jediah),  459,  484. 

Higgins:  Thomas,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot.  486,  487. 

John,  Recommended  for  the 
Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498. 

Horner:  John,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Horton:  William,  165. 

Hude(Hudy):  Adam,  447.— High  Sheriff 
of  Middlesex  and  Somerset,  457.— 
Affidavit  relating  to  P.  Sonmans’ 
affairs,  457,  458. 

Huddy  (Hoddy):  Hugh,  Proposed  for 
the  Council,  95,  299,  302,  340.— Ap 
pointed  one  of  Lord  Lovelace’s 
Council,  317. 

Hulet:  George,  Contributes  to  the  sup 
posed  Cornbury  fund,  213,  214. 

Hull:  Benjamin,  Meeting  at  his  house, 
198,  205,  209,  211.  218. — Contributes  to 
the  supposed  Cornbury  fund,  200. — 
Arrested  for  not  paying  the  amount 
subscribed,  207. 

Humphries:  Joshua,  165. 

Hunloke  (Hunlock):  Edward,  Dead,  1.— 
Referred  to,  47. 


I. 


Ingoldesby : Richard,  Difficulty  with  Lord 
Cornbury,  67,  68.— Complains  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade,  109.— Commission  as 
Lieut.  Gov.  of  New  York  revoked, 
145,  149.— Appointed  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  New  Jersey,  147,  149, 160,  290.— 
At  Salem  with  Lord  Cornbury,  231. — 
Declines  acting  in  New  Jersey,  243. — 
Notice  of,  290.— Proposed  as  one  of 
Lord  Lovelace’s  Council,  299.— De- 
fended by  the  Council,  401.— On  the 


proceedings  of  the  Assembly,  46?. — 
Representation  of  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  on  his  commission  as  Lieut. 
Gov.  of  New  York,  469.— Commission 
as  Lieut.  Gov.  of  New  York  revoked, 
470.— Commission  as  Lieut.  Gov.  of 
New  Jersey  revoked,  474. 

Ingoldesby:  George,  Affidavit  relating 
to  Lord  Cornbury,  150. 

Instructions:  Relative  to  the  attendance 
of  members  of  Council.  241,  242. 


INDEX. 


509 


J. 


James:  Richard,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Corunbry,  214. 

Jenings:  Samuel,  One  of  Gov.  Cornbury ’s 
Council,  2,  64,  155.— Motice  of,  158.— 
Summoned  by  Lord  Corubnry  to 
show  his  authority  as  one  of  the 
Council  of  West  Jersey  Proprietors 
158. — Resigns  as  one  of  Cornbury’s 
Council,  160,  235.— Delivers  a remon- 
strance of  Assembly  to  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  173. — Complained  of  by  Lord 
Cornbury,  192,  194,  195,  224,  226,  268, 
269.— One  of  the  Council  of  Proprie- 
tors, 221.— Elected  Speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  224.— Col.  Quary  com- 
ments upon  his  resignation  from  the 


K. 

Kay:  John,  One  of  the  Council  of  Pro- 
prietors, 221. 

Keble:  John,  Proposes  to  set  up  the 
manufacture  of  potashes  in  New 
Jersey,  304,  343,  344.— Recommended 
by  Wm.  Penn  and  others,  305.— Re- 


Council,  235.— Comments  on,  by  the 
Council,  288,  369,  406,  407,  412-414. 

Jessop:  Jeremiah,  Grand  Juror  of  Essex 
County,  496. 

Johnstone:  Dr.  John,  Proposed  for  the 
Council,  51.— Affidavit  of,  in  support 
of  the  Assembly’s  remonstrance,  207. 
—Made  the  bearer  of  £200  to  Lord 
Cornbury,  208,  262,  277.— Complained 
of  by  Lord  Cornbury,  335.— Referred 
to,  392,  403. 

Jones:  Ebenezer,  A West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tor, 95. 

Jones:  John,  165. 

Jurin:  John,  One  of  the  Proprietors,  38. 


ports  on  his  propositions,  329,  341, 
342,  347. 

Killingworth:  Thomas,  Contributes  to  a 
fund  thought  to  be  for  Lord  Com- 
biuy,  215,  216. 

Kirkbride:  Joseph,  165. 


Lakan:  John,  Grand  Juror  for  Essex 
County,  496. 

Lane : Thomas,  One  of  the  Proprietors, 
95. — Notice  of,  38. 

Langstaff:  John,  Contributes  to  a sup. 
posed  Cornbury  fnnd,  200,  209. 

Lambert:  Thomas,  Objected  to  as  a 

member  of  the  Assembly,  88, 127, 137, 
151. 

Lawrence : Elisha,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Lawrence:  John,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Lawrence:  William,  Contributes  to  a 
supposed  Cornbury  fund,  216. 

Leeds:  Daniel,  One  of  Gov.  Cornbury ‘s 
Council,  2,  65,  155,  290.— Objects  to 
certain  representatives,  88,  127,  137, 
151,  172,  193,  279.— Objected  to  as  one 
of  the  Council,  301,  303.— Removal 
recommended,  309. 

Leonard:  Samuel,  Dead,  1. 

Leveridge:  John,  448,  453. 


Lewes:  Thomas,  a West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tor, 95. 

Lipet:  Moses,  Contributes  to  the  sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Lipencot:  John,  Contributes  to  the  sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Lipincot:  Richard,  Contributes  to  the 
supposed  Cornbury  fund,  213. 

Lipincot,  Junior:  Samuel,  164. 

Little:  Samuel,  Grand  Juror  of  Essex 
County,  496. 

Little:  Richard,  Grand  Juror  of  Essex 
County,  496. 

Lovelace:  John,  Lord,  Appointed  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Jersey,  298.— Nominates 
his  Council.  299.— His  instructions, 
316.— His  account  of  the  Assembly’s 
proceedings  March,  1709,  359. — Ad- 
dress to  that  Assembly,  361. — And 
their  answer,  362. — His  death  an- 
nounced, 466.— Notice  of,  466. 

Lovelace : Lady,  Complains  of  the  treat- 
ment of  Lieut.  Gov.  Ingoldesby,  466. 


M. 


Machelson : Member  of  Assembly,  295. 

Mannen  (Manning):  Benjamin.  Grand 

Juror  on  Woodbridge  riot,  486.  487. 

Mannen  (Manning):  Joseph,  Grand  Juror 
on  Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Meaker:  Benjamin,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  199,  201.  210, 

Meaker:  William,  Grand  Juror  for  Essex 
County,  496. 

Meliin:  Robert,  His  difficulties  with  Peter 
Sonmans,  423,  424,  447,  452. 

Merrett:  Isaac,  Recommended  for  the 
Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498. 

Michel,  Junior:  Charles,  a West  Jersey 
Proprietor,  95. 


Michel:  Francis,  One  of  the  Proprietors, 
38,  95. 

Michel:  Robert,  One  of  the  Proprietors, 
38,  95.— His  autograph,  51. 

Mickelthwait:  Joseph,  a West  Jersey 
Proprietor,  95. 

Militia:  Settled  by  Lord  Cornbury,  6.— 
Comments  of  Lords  of  Trade  on  act 
therefor,  126. — Character  of  officers 
in  commission,  157.— Comments  of 
Lewis  Morris  on  Militia  act,  280. — 
Alluded  to  by  Lord  Cornbury,  336, 
338. 

Mompesson:  Roger,  Recommended  for 
the  Council,  78, 115.— Appointed  Chief 
Justice  of  New  Jersey,  79, 125.— No- 


510 


INDE3. 


tice  of,  116.— Appointed  one  of  the 
Council,  125, 160.— Acts  as  such,  290.— 
Proposed  for  Council  under  Lord 
Lovelace,  299.— Appointed,  317.— His 
position  as  Chief  Justice  sought  for 
by  others,  36C.— Proprietors  ask  that 
he  may  be  left  off  of  Gov.  Hunter’s 
Council,  497. 

Moore:  Rev.  Mr.,  270. 

Moores  (Morris):  John,  Grand  Juror  on 
Woodbridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Moore:  Matthew,  Affidavit  against  Lewis 
Morris,  482. 

Moores:  Samuel,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Morris:  Lewis,  One  of  Gov.  Cornbury' s 
Council,  2.— Influence  over  the  Scotch 
settlers,  14, 138.— Referred  to,  47,  71. 
73-75,  121,  227,  392,  398,  399-412.— Sus- 

g ended  from  the  Council,  77, 143. — 
[is  restoration  asked  for,  85.  —Com- 
plained of  by  Lord  Combury,  192, 194, 
195,  225,  268,  335.— One  of  the  Council 
of  Proprietors,  221.— Col.  Quary 


N. 

Newbold:  Mr.,  recommended  for  the 
Council  of  Lord  Cornbury,  340. 

Newcastle : Lord  Comb vny ’s  account  of 
events  at,  230. 

New  Jersey:  Difficulties  attending  the 
raising  of  troops,  53. — Salaries  in,  not 
to  be  as  high  as  those  in  New  York, 
148.— Combury’s  absence  from,  cen- 
sured by  the  Assembly,  251.— Divi- 
sions therein  stated  by  Lewis  Morris, 
275.— Emigration  from  New  York 


comments  upon  his  acts,  236.— Ex- 
plains the  condition  of  affairs  in  New 
Jersey,  275. — On  Hamilton  and 
Basse's  parties,  275-277.— Council 
complain  of  him  to  the  Queen,  288, 
369.— Proposed  as  one  of  Lord  I ove- 
lace’s  Council,  299, 328,  329.— Appoint- 
ed as  such,  317, 349.—  Address  to  Lord 
Lovelace,  380.— Poetical  addenda 
thereto,  381.— Suspended  from  the 
Council  by  Lieut.  Gov.  Ingoldesby, 
464.— Complained  of  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade  by  Wm.  Dockwra,  476-496.— 
Proceedings  of  Court  of  Common 
Right  against,  479.— Presented  by 
Grand  Jury,  481.— Arrest  ordered, 
481.  —Questions  the  right  of  the  Pro- 
prietors to  govern,  488.— Letter  to 
the  Assembly  on  their  unlawful  pro- 
ceedings, 491.— Recommended  by  the 
Lords  of  Trade  for  the  Council  and 
appointed,  499. 

Mott:  Gershom,  Contributes  to  the  sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 


into,  333. — Nobody  removes  from, 
336  —The  trade  of,  336.— Revenues 
and  fines,  1704-1708,  350.— The  weak- 
ness of  the  Province,  472. 

Nicholl:  Mr.,  recommended  by  Lewis 
Morris,  491. 

Nicholson:  Col.  Francis,  461,  462,  471,  473. 

— Announces  his  arrival,  464. 

Norton:  John,  a West  Jersey  Proprietor, 
95. 


O. 


Ogden:  Benjamin,  Contributes  to  a fund 
thought  to  be  for  Lord  Cornbury, 
199,  201. 

Olive:  Thomas,  One  of  the  first  commis- 
sioners to  buy  and  lay  out  lands,  221. 


Ormston:  John,  161-163. 

Ormston:  Joseph,  161-163.— Objects  to 
the  appointment  of  Peter  Sonmans 
as  one  of  the  Council,  310-316. 


P. 


Parke:  Roger,  165. 

Parker:  Elisha,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  217. 

Parker:  John.  Member  of  Assembly,  295. 

Parker:  Joseph,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Combury  fund,  212. 

Parker:  Nathaniel,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Peacher:  Thomas,  165. 

Pearson:  Theophilus,  338,  337.  495. 

Penford:  John,  One  of  the  first  commis- 
sioners to  buy  and  lay  out  lands,  221. 

Penn:  William,  Recommends  leaving 
Revell  and  Leeds  out  of  the  Council,  . 
303.— Recommends  the  potash 

scheme  of  John  Keble,  306. 

Perth  Amboy:  Transportation  between 
it  and  Burlington.  176,  186,  250,  327. 

Petty,  Junior:  William,  165. 

Pike:  John,  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Combury  fund,  200.— Petition  of,  j 
against  such  fund,  202.— Member  of 
Assembly,  483. 

Pike:  Thomas,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486.  I 


Pinhom:  John,  Appointed  Clerk  of  As 
sembly,  227,  298.— Affidavit  respecting 
difficulty  between  Sonmans  and  Bar- 
clay, 456. 

Pinhorne:  William,  One  of  Gov.  Com- 
bury’s Council,  2,  65,  155,  160.  250.— 
Proposed  for  Council  under  Lord 
Lovelace,  299. — Notice  of,  299. — Pro- 
prietors ask  that  he  may  be  left  out 
of  the  Council,  497. 

Pope:  Nathaniel,  165. 

Pot  and  Pearl  Ashes:  Manufacture  of. 
proposed,  304,  329,  341-349. 

Potter:  Sarah,  Statement  of,  against 
Lewis  Morris,  4S5. 

Powell:  Meeting  at  his  house  in 

Woodbridge.  200. 

Price:  Benjamin,  201.— Member  of  As- 
sembly, 295. 

Proprietors  of  New  Jersey:  Their  aim 
and  influence,  18. — Bill  affecting  their 
interests  passed,  29,  55.— Their  rights 
in  fines  and  escheats,  108. — Ask  for 
the  appointment  of  Peter  Sonmans 
as  one  of  the  Council,  129.— Corn- 


INDEX. 


511 


bury’s  views  of  their  Council,  192. — 
Answered  by  them,  220.— How  the 
Council  is  chosen,  223.— Answer  of 
Assembly  to  Lord  Combury’s  com- 
ments on,  257.— A distinct  party,  276. 
—Object  to  certain  members  of  the 
Council,  302.— Names  of  those  who 
did  and  did  not  recommend  Peter 
Sonmans,  313-316.— Their  right  to 
govern  questioned  by  Lewis  Morris, 
488.— Ask  for  a change  of  the  < 'oun- 
cil  on  the  accession  of  Gov.  Hunter, 
497. 

Proprietors  of  West  Jersey:  Complain  of 


Quakers:  Their  admission  to  office,  etc., 
without  taking  an  oath,  2,  66.— In- 
fluence of,  in  West  Jersey,  15,  10^. 
—And  in  Assembly ,70, 114.— Memorial 
against,  82. — Views  of  Cornbury  re- 
specting, 229,  269,  335,  333.— Quary’s 
comments  on  their  proceedings,  273. 
—Lewis  Morris  complains  of  them, 
275,  280. — Views  of  Lord  Lovelace’s 
Council  respecting,  413. — Not  allowed 
to  serve  on  juries  in  criminal  cases, 
435-443,  448.— Their  objections  to 

raising  troops,  461,  461,  468. — Repre- 
sentation of  Lieut.  Gov.  Ingoldesby 
and  Council  respecting,  470. 

Quary:  Col.  Robert,  One  of  Gov.  Corn- 


Reading:  John,  Summoned  by  Lord 
Cornbury  to  show  his  authoritv  as 
one  of  the  'Council  of  West  Jersey 
Proprietors,  158. — One  of  the  Council, 
221. 

Reape:  Widow,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Reeves;  John,  423,  424,  452. 

Representatives  in  Assembly:  Necessary 
qualifications,  28,  72.— Difficulties 

connected  therewith.  86,  126. 

Revell:  Thomas,  One  of  Gov.  Cornbury’s 
Council,  2,  64.— Objects  to  certain 
representatives,  88,  127,  137,  151,  172, 
193,  279.— Notice  of,  290.— Objected  to 
as  a member  of  Council,  300.— Re- 
moval recommended,  309. 


Salem:  Visited  by  Lord  Cornbury,  80, 236. 

Salter:  Richard,  Cornbury  complained 
of  for  making  him  a Justice  of  the 
Peace,  93, 128, 156.— Referred  to,  198, 
199.— Collecting  money  thought  to  be 
for  Lord  Cornburv,  200,  203.  207,  209- 
218,  277. 

Saltonstall:  Mr.,  Chosen  Governor  of 
Connecticut,  271. 

Sandford:  William,  One  of  Gov.  Com- 
bury’s Council,  2,  65,  155,  160,  290.— 
Proposed  for  one  of  the  Council  of 
Lord  Lovelace,  299.— Appointed  as 
such,  317.— Referred  to,  307.— Pro- 
prietors ask  that  he  may  be  left  out 
of  the  Council,  497. 

Scot:  Benjamin,  One  of  the  first  com- 
missioners to  buy  and  lay  out  lands, 
221. 

Scot:  John,  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund , 213. 

Scotch:  Influence  of  the,  in  East  Jersey, 
14.— Oppose  the  appointment  of  P. 
Sonmans  to  the  Council,  131. 


Lord  Cornbury,  81,  86.— Ask  for  the 
restoration  of  Lewis  Morris  to  the 
Council, 86.— Observations  of  Lords  of 
Trade  on  a memorial  from  them,  117. 
—Complain  of  Jeremiah  Basse  for 
taking  their  records  out  of  the  Prov- 
ince, 127,  325.— Wm.  Sloper  answers 
their  complaint,  133.— Remonstrance 
of,  to  Lord  Cornbury,  against  being 
prohibited  from  issuing  warrants  for 
land,  164.— Answer  certain  questions 
of  Lord  Cornbury  about  the  Council, 
220. 


bury’s  Council,  2,  65.  155. — Wishes  to 
succeed  Edward  Randolph  as  Sur- 
veyor General,  7. — Referred  to,  45. 
225.— On  raising  the  quota  of  troops 
in  New  Jersey,  53, — Notice  of,  54. — 
About  to  embark  for  New  York,  132. 
—His  account  of  doings  of  the  Assem- 
bly and  of  Morris  and  Jenings,  233- 
237.— His  comments  on  the  acts 
of  the  New  Jersey  Assembly,  272.— 
His  comments  on  the  Quakers,  273.— 
Objected  to  as  one  of  the  Council, 
301. — Appointed  as  one  of  Lord  Love- 
lace’s Council,  317. 

Qualifications  of  Electors  and  Elected, 
28,  29,  70,  84,  86,  88,  97, 126, 318,  319,  325. 


Revenues  and  Fines:  1704  to  1708,  350. 

Richier:  Edward,  One  of  the  Proprietors, 
38,  95. 

Riddle:  William,  Summoned  by  Lord 
Cornbury  to  show  authority  as  one 
of  the  Council  of  West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietors, 158. 

Rillingworth : Thomas,  Judge  in  Salem 
County.,  a scandalous  person,  152. 

Robins:  , Contributes  to  a supposed 

Cornbury  fund,  213. 

Rockhill:  Edward,  165. 

Royce:  John,  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund,  211,  217.— Deputy 
Secretary  to  J.  Basse,  459  —One  of 
the  Council,  482,  484. 


Sears:  Daniel,  Grand  Juror  for  Essex 
County,  496. 

Sharpe:  John,  164. 

Shinn;  John,  165. 

Skinner:  Thomas,  a West  Jersey  Pro- 
prietor, 95. 

Slaves:  Act  for  regulating,  to  be  repeal- 
ed, 473. 

Sloper:  William,  agent  of  Lord  Corn- 
bury, answers  West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tors, 133. 

Smith:  Robert,  Sheriff  of  Essex  County, 
assaulted,  496. 

Snellig:  William,  West  Jersey  Proprie- 
tor, 95. 

Sonmans:  Arent,  161. 

Sonmans:  Peter,  Objects  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  Jeremiah  Basse  as  Secre- 
tary. 23.— His  acts  referred  to,  27, 
154,  161,  189,  192,  219,  253-255,  257,  259, 
331.— Objected  to  as  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil, 35.— Answers  the  objections,  48. — 
Petition  of,  about  the  title  to  Staten 
Island,  referred  to,  61, — Memorial  of, 


512 


INDEX. 


about  the  Quakers  and  the  qualifica-  j 
tions  of  members,  82.— Proposed  for 
the  Council  by  Wm.  Dockwra,  101, 
and  by  the  Proprietors  of  East  Jer- 
sey, 129.— Appointed  one  of  the  Coun- 
cil in  place  of  S.  Jenings,  resigned,  ! 
160,  339.— Objected  to  as  one  of  the  j 
Council,  301.—  Memorial  of.  to  Lord 
Combury,  against  John  Harrison, 
306.— Joseph  Ormston  objects  to  his 
appointment  as  one  of  the  Council, 
310-316. — Appointed  one  of  Lord 
Lovelace’s  Council,  317,  459.— Assem- 
bly complain  of  him  to  Lord  Love- 
lace, 374. — Address  of,  to  the  Gover-  i 
nor,  April  1, 1709,  379. — Answer  to  the  ! 


Thompson:  Thos.,  Grand  Juror  for  Essex 
County,  496. 

Thompson:  Thomas,  Grand  Juror  for 
Essex  County,  496. 

Tomson:  John,  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund,  199. 

Townley:  Col.  Richard,  Proposed  for  the 
Council,  51,  78,  95,  115.— Notice  of, 
115. — One  of  Combury’s  Council,  160, 

y. 

Vetch:  Col.  Samuel,  461,  471,  473.— An- 
nounces his  arrival,  464. 

W. 

Wade,  Junior:  Benjamin,  Grand  Juror 
for  Essex  County,  496. 

Walker:  Alexander,  377,  431-432,  448,  453, 
455. 

Walker:  Francis,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
bridge  riot,  486,  487. 

Walker:  Samuel,  One  of  Lord  Cornbury ’s 
Council,  2,  483. 

Wall:  Garret,  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Warded:  Joseph,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Warae:  Thomas,  483. 

Watson:  Matthew,  165. 

Watts:  Michael,  A Proprietar  of  West 
Jersey,  95. 

Wetherill:  Christopher,  Summoned  by 
Lord  Cornbury  to  show  his  authority 
as  one  of  the  Council  of  West  Jersey 
Proprietors,  158. — One  of  the  Council, 
221. 

White:  John,  459. 

White:  Thomas,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  213. 

Whiting:  John,  One  of  the  Proprietors, 
38. 

Whitehead:  Isaac,  Deposition  in  support 
of  a remonstrance  of  the  Assembly, 
201.— Indicted.  480. 

Whitehead : James.  Grand  Juror  of  Es- 
sex County,  496. 

Whitehead,  Senior:  Samuel,  Grand  Juror 
of  Essex  County,  496. 

Whitehead:  William,  Grand  Juror  uf 
Essex  County,  496. 

Wheeler:  , Recommended  for  the 

Council  of  Gov.  Combury,  340. 


Assembly’s  complaint  to  Lord  Love- 
lace, 416-460.— Petition  to  Lord  Love- 
lace, 449. — His  answer  to  the  Assem- 
bly ordered  to  be  printed  by  Lieut. 
Gov.  Ingoldesby,  460.— Proprietors 
ask  that  he  may  be  left  out  of  Gov. 
Hunter’s  Council,  497. 

Stacy : Robert,  One  of  the  first  commis- 
sioners to  buy  and  lay  out  lands,  221. 

Staten  Island:  Title  to,  61. 

Steenmeets:  Johannes,  485. 

Stevenson:  William,  164. 

Stilwell:  Capt.,213. 

Stoker:  Thomas,  165. 

Stokes:  John,  165. 

Swift:  John,  165. 


290.— Referred  to,  201.— Proposed  for 
Council  of  Lord  Lovelace,  299.— Re- 
ferred to,  479.— Proprietors  ask  that 
he  may  be  left  out  of  Gov.  Hunter’s 
Council,  497. 

Treat:  John,  484. 

Tucker,  Junior:  Charles,  Grand  Juror 
for  Essex  County,  496. 


IVanVeighty  (Vechten):  Michael,  377, 

| 430,  *431,  448,  453. 


Williams:  John,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Wills:  Daniel,  164.— One  of  the  first  com- 
missioners to  buy  and  lay  out  lands, 
221.— One  of  the  Council  of  Proprie- 
tors, 221. 

Wilkins:  Thomas,  165. 

Willocks:  George,  Befriends  J.  Basse, 
25.— Complained  of  to  Lord  Lovelace 
by  the  Council,  392,  398.  407,  408.— 
Called  a Jacobite  by  the  Council, 
395.— Referred  to,  418,  449.  450.  494.— 
Refuses  to  take  the  oaths  to  the 
Queen.  454. — Recommended  for  the 
Council  of  Gov.  Hunter,  498. 

Wilson:  Stephen,  165. 

Winter:  William,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Combury  fund,  212. 

Winthrop:  Col.,  Governor  of  Connecti- 
cut, Dead,  271. 

Wood:  Jonas.  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Woodbridge:  Documents  referring  to 
riot  at,  480. 

Woodruff:  John,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Combury  fund,  199. 

Woodward:  Anthony,  200. — Contributes 
to  a supposed  Combury  fund,  210. 

Wooly:  Edward,  Contributes  to  a sup- 
posed Cornbury  fund,  212. 

Wooly:  John.  Contributes  to  a supposed 
Cornbury  fund,  212-214,  218. 

Woolman:  John,  165. 

Worth:  John,  Grand  Juror  on  Wood- 
brige  riot,  486,  487. 

Wright:  Joshua,  Objected  to  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Assembly,  88,  127,  137,  151. 


Young:  Robert,  336. 


Y. 

j Young:  Walter,  Commissioner  of  the 
I Customs,  131. 


Date  Due 


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